Sweet Springs Sanitarium – Haunted Sanitarium in Sweet Springs, West Virginia

Nestled in the quiet hills of Monroe County, Sweet Springs Sanitarium carries a dark history that refuses to fade. Once a thriving health resort known for its natural mineral springs, the site later became a tuberculosis sanitarium, housing countless patients in their final days.

With a legacy of suffering and death, the building is now a magnet for paranormal enthusiasts who report ghostly figures, unexplained voices, and eerie cold spots.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1792 (as a resort), later repurposed as a sanitarium in the early 20th century
• Original Purpose: A luxury resort centered around the supposedly healing Sweet Springs waters
• Significant Events:
  • The site served as a Civil War hospital, treating wounded soldiers from both sides.
  • Converted into a tuberculosis sanitarium, where hundreds of patients succumbed to the disease.
  • Abandoned for decades, the building fell into decay, fueling rumors of restless spirits.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors and paranormal investigators frequently report:

• Disembodied voices echoing through the empty halls
• Shadowy apparitions lingering near doorways
• Sudden temperature drops in certain rooms
• Unexplained footsteps and whispers when no one is around
• Objects moving on their own, such as doors slamming or chairs shifting
• A ghostly nurse figure, believed to be a remnant of the sanitarium’s past, seen patrolling the hallways

Ghost Stories & Reports

Many believe the spirits of former patients, nurses, and soldiers remain trapped within the walls of Sweet Springs Sanitarium:

• The Weeping Woman: Guests report hearing a woman sobbing late at night, believed to be the ghost of a nurse who contracted tuberculosis while caring for patients.
• The Soldier in Gray: A Civil War-era apparition, possibly a former patient or a soldier treated in the makeshift hospital, is seen wandering the grounds.
• The Lost Children: During its time as a sanitarium, it’s said that some children succumbed to illness here. Their laughter can sometimes be heard in the empty corridors.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The third floor is known for the most chilling encounters. Many guests report seeing shadowy figures lurking near the former patient rooms. Some claim to feel unseen hands brushing against them, while others report an overwhelming sense of dread in the abandoned infirmary.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes, for tours and paranormal investigations
• Entry Fee: Varies depending on the event
• Tour Availability: Ghost tours and overnight investigations available on select weekends
• Photography Allowed? Yes
• Visiting Hours: Typically from 6 PM to midnight for ghost tours

Best Time to Visit

• Fall and winter months are when the most paranormal activity is reported, particularly near Halloween.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Sweet Springs Sanitarium has been featured on several paranormal TV shows and explored by renowned ghost hunters. Investigators have captured EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), unexplained thermal readings, and chilling video footage of shadow figures.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• Due to its age and deteriorating structure, some areas are off-limits to visitors.
• No trespassing outside of scheduled tours—violators may face legal consequences.