Jerry Summers
If you want to read some good ghost stories Google “Haunted Old South Pittsburg’s Hospital.” If you want to personally experience the intrigue and possible paranormal (supernatural) activity of the abandoned hospital in South Pittsburg you will want to schedule a tour and possibly an overnight stay that can be arranged by the current owners.
The hospital was built in 1959 by four physicians and closed in 1998, allegedly because it had been replaced by another hospital and was surplus property. Others claim that the facility was beset with supernatural happenings that included many acts of malpractices, murder and strange goings on involving shadowy spirts performing unusual and sinister acts in the abandoned medical facility located at 1100 Holly Avenue, South Pittsburg.
The haunted hospital has been featured on the Travel Channel on Destination Fear and several other television shows.
The literature promoting tours and overnight stays at the premises described it as “one of the most haunted places in Tennessee.” Descriptions of what you will encounter at the hospital included contact with the “Naughty Nurse” in the basement who delights in touching and groping individuals on private parts of their anatomy and who also likes to whisper sweet words in their ears if they are brave enough to visit the ghost in her chosen domain.
If you would like to have an experience with a less sensuous spirit you might be fortunate enough to meet the reincarnation of the two-year-old toddler known as “Buddy” who is active and seems to enjoy playing or urging the visitors to play with him on the third floor. Other spirits that have been observed in this vacant hospital include a male described as a doctor and a janitorial spirit and another female nurse.
There have also been reports of a man approximately seven feet tall that may be one of the past surgeons that practiced in this medical facility. Witnesses have allegedly reported that this spirit warns the visitors “to get out or leave the premises.” Other attendees have stated that this ghost “does not want to be associated with the living.” With these comforting remarks, “ghost busters” or fans of the paranormal world are invited to participate in an overnight ghost hunting adventure for the strong and brave patrons of the life after death crowd.
Within the past few years new owners have taken over the facility after buying the property from the Internal Revenue Service and, according to South Pittsburg City Administrator Gene Vess, “have corrected the problems incurred with the former owners and appear to be running a good business as reflected by the increasing sales tax revenue to the city.” In an article listed in “ghosthunterfans.com” the earlier problems with the presence of mold and improper zoning have been corrected and out-of-town ghost seekers are regularly visiting the old facility that previously served as the hospital for South Pittsburg and the surrounding area.
Overnight tours and lodging are available for fans of the supernatural. A large number of spirit seekers have been coming up from Atlanta.
If you are brave enough to risk meeting the resident ghosts travel I-24 west to the South Pittsburg exit and turn right at Moss Motors. The hospital is located between 10th and 12th Streets on Holly Avenue up against South Pittsburg Mountain.
For more information or bookings contact: Old South Pittsburg Hospital Paranormal Research Center, 1100 Holly Avenue, South Pittsburg, Tennessee 37380, (423) 228-7082 or check them out on Facebook.
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Jerry Summers
(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com