West Mountain Sanatorium

    

Main Gated Entrance

 
     The Lackwanna County Tuberculosis Hospital, formerly the West Mountain Sanatorium, was first established in 1903 facilitated with 20 beds. Through the years the hospital grew and at its peak had about 100 beds available for patients. The hospital was the idea of Dr. J.M Wainwright and was placed high atop the West mountain overlooking Scranton PA. Most of the buildings on the campus are now dilapidated and unsafe to venture into. Ceilings have fallen in  and walls have given out. What little remains is now covered in graffiti and in ruin. At its prime, West Mountain Sanatorium boosted state of the art radiology and laboratory departments with new equipment. It also had its own fields and farm and artesian well to support the patients and staff. The hospital was also noted for its open air treatments. Patients were actually made it sit in screened porches throughout the year, sun or snow, to allow the fresh air cleanse their lungs of Tuberculosis. In 1971, like so many psychiatric and tuberculosis hospitals of the time, it was shut down. With new laws and new concepts of de-instutionalization the campus has sat high above the valley looking down at Scranton for decades quiet.

     Stories have circulated around the old hospital since its closer. Many people believe the old campus to haunted. Also misinformed urban legends have plagued the former hospital as well. The remote location along with the stories have plagued the area. Multiple fires and thrill seekers have destroyed most of the remaining facility. The sanatorium is also a hot spot for paranormal investigators. Those who have investigated the property have claimed to hear haunting voices and captured pictures of ghostly happenings. Besides the paranormal activity the sanatorium also has some little known history. For instance, the song Winter Wonderland was actually written in the sanatorium. Dick Smith wrote the song while he was being treated in the Sanatorium for tuberculosis. Unfortunately Smith died before his song had gained any popularity. 

     Our visit to the West Mountain Sanatorium was during the late summer and at night. We had planned a trip through north-eastern Pennsylvania and the sanitarium was our last stop. The directions we had were hard enough to follow let alone it being dark and never being in the area before. Finally we came across the old front gate and made our way up the main entrance. The first thing we spotted was the old well. There was definitely an eerie feeling as we made our way through the crumbling campus building after building. Old patient beds, lockers, and miscellaneous equipment was still scattered in the old buildings. Many of structures had started to fall in and were not safe to venture into. We didn't experience any strange noises or paranormal activity while we were there. I was able to get a few decent photos on my old camera before we decided to call it a night. Hopefully we will get a chance to see this fading bit of history before it is entirely gone.