The Old Torrance State Hospital

Graff Building

     A few of my favorite places to investigate are the old sanatoriums and state hospitals in Pennsylvania. My first ghost hunt actually took place at on of the hospitals known the Torrance State Hospital. The hospital was originally built-in the early 1900’s due to the increase need for care of the mentally ill. Torrance Hospital started with a few patients that were transferred from the Danville Hospital and patient census continued to grow to over 3000 by the 1960s. After understanding and treatment for mental illness improved, deinstitutionalization came into effect in the late 1960’s and early 1970s. The move was to provide quick stabilization of mental illness and offer community and outpatient care. Now only a few hundred patients are currently admitted to Torrance State Hospital. Over the years some of the older builds had been torn down or abandon and a new hospital was built. Some of the old buildings remained used but primarily for storage.

First Floor

     As for the hauntings associated with the Old Torrance Hospital, they mainly circulate around the Graff Building/Cottage. The Graff building provided a place for staff to reside, did some patient intake, and housed the print shop. The Graff building is often referred to as the staff quarters and is where many people go to get a glimpse of the afterlife. This site is directly across from the Army Reserves station in Torrance and a short distance down the road from the current Torrance Hospital campus. The Graff Building has been privately owned for years. Years ago the past owner allowed WW2 reenactments to take place on the property and was lenient with people who investigated the building. However, for the past several years the current owner has taken a stand against people trespassing. The grounds have been cleaned up and many of the tress have been removed that people used as cover to get into the building. The owner has now installed a waist-high fence and reportedly motion sensors.

Basement Hallway

     The Graff building has many claims of haunts. Some believe the souls of people are restless because of the primitive therapies used on them that included Electroshock therapy, Hydrotherapy, and even Lobotomies. Some reports that people were even placed in locked rooms without windows or lights, or restrained for long periods of time. Wittiness of the paranormal activity report seeing lights in windows, mist figures and shadow apparitions. Noises of disembodied voices, crying, and doors slammed have been heard. People have also reportedly been hit by gurneys, feeling cold and warm spots, getting grabbed at the ankle, and feeling suddenly weak and unable to move their arms or legs. The epicenter of the activity seems to take place in the basement in the boiler room. The first floor and basement are easily navigated. The 2^nd floor of the Graff Building is falling apart with the ceiling caving in at areas.

Boiler

     Besides the Graff Building, other areas of the Hospital have claims of a haunting as well. Former residents have been seen roaming the halls and property. Elevators have been known to open and close by themselves. An old woman is said to haunt one of the private rooms. The old tunnels that once connected the buildings are also claimed to be haunted.

   
    The Old Torrance State Hospital is still in operation and cares for patients while the Graff building is on private property. Neither of these locations should be visited without proper authority and permission. To get to this location, from Blairsville, PA take 217 south and make a left hand turn at the abandon gas station onto Torrance Road. Approximately after one mile the old Graff building will be on the right-hand side and the Torrance Hospital Campus will be on the left-hand side a short distance up the road.

Boiler Room

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.