Welcome to the official site of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium
This site is owned by Charlie and Tina Mattingly, the owners of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville Kentucky. This is the ONLY site on which you can schedule tours and get the true history of Waverly Hills. Any other sites claiming to offer tours is not legitimate. All of the photos on this site are the property of The Waverly Hills Historical Society Inc. and should not be copied or reproduced without their written consent of.
About the Waverly Hills Sanatorium
In the early 1900's Tuberculosis infections were reaching epidemic proportions. Tuberculosis is a deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria. Tuberculosis most commonly attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, bones, joints and even the skin. Those afflicted with the disease had to be removed from the general public and quarantined somewhere that had the ability to care for them properly. The large Sanatorium that you see at the top of this page was constructed for that purpose.
Construction began in March of 1924. It opened on October 17, 1926 to administer patients. With over 500 beds available this state-of-the-art facility was populated with citizens of Louisville and other parts of Kentucky as well as people from all over The United States. All of which went there in hopes of being cured of Tuberculosis. This was unfortunately not the case as thousands of people suffered and died of TB at Waverly Hills. To cope with the large numbers of deaths and to avoid hurting the morale of other patients a 500 foot long tunnel that was originally used as a supply tunnel was converted into a "Body Chute". The bodies of the deceased would be lowered down the tunnel via rail-tramsystem to train cars at the bottom of the hill.
Waverly functioned as a tuberculosis hospital until 1961, when it was closed down to be quarantined and renovated to be opened again in 1962 as WoodHaven Medical Services. The facility remained a geriatrics center until 1980, when it was closed by the state for alleged patient abuse.
Visit the history page to find out more about the Waverly Hills Sanatorium.
Waverly Hills Haunted House Fund Raiser was a Success!
The turnout for the Waverly Hills Haunted house was great. As usual people lined up every weekend to walkthrough the haunted house and help support Waverly with ticket sales.
Most of the time the line wrapped around the building. The renovation of this historical landmark needs the support of the community and the people that come to visit.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Please call us to find out how you can help to save the Waverly Hills Sanatorium.
- WAVERLY HILLS
Half night and overnight stays/tours will begin in March of 2009.
You may call to schedule an overnight or half night tours during business ours beginning January 2, 2009.
For More Important Information, like payment details, courtesy rules, etc. You must go to the tour info page. READ THE ENTIRE PAGE, as there is some new information regarding tours towards the bottom.
The Waverly Hills Office phone number is (502) 933-2142. Call to schedule a tour. Tour dates fill up quickly so call soon.