Silvercrest Sanatorium

 

Silvercrest Sanatorium was located in southern Indiana and remains an excellent example of Art Deco and Art Modern architecture. Silvercrest was a tuberculosis hospital, encompassed within the "black belt," named such for a region that included Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio where tuberculosis was prevalent.

 

The hospital was as much of a place to die than to get cured. The first push for such a facility came in 1917, but it was not until 1936 that a facility was actually constructed through fundraising (e.g. "The Greatest Gift: A Pagent of Health" plays were shown) and local financing efforts. The new 20-bed sanatorium was soon replaced with the Southern Indiana Tuberculosis Hospital, or better known as Silvercrest Sanatorium, that was much larger and more opulent.

 

1 An early view of Silvercrest after the state constructed its building.

 

In 1940, the 150-bed Silvercrest facility opened but to much demand. A formal dedication was not held until May 10, 1941 because the hospital was so crowded. The hospital featured an outpatient clinic, several laboratories, surgery rooms, kitchen and laundry facilities, a dental office, a recreational gym and a heated swimming pool. A residence for the superintendent and several guest houses were located on-site.

 

In 1952, five low-rise structures were completed on-site. Beginning on April 1, 1972, the state began to phase out tuberculosis treatments at Silvercrest due to the development of medicines that began combating the disease. The hospital was closed by 1974, and was converted into the Silvercrest Children's Development Center in that year.

 

Silvercrest once again closed on May 12, 2006, after months of research that concluded that it would be cheaper to provide Medicaid funding for more localized care for developmentally disabled children. The hospital was once slated for demolition, although it will soon be restored into a nursing care facility.

 

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3 Drab hallways reveal colorful patient rooms for the disabled.

 

4 The symbol of tuberculosis.

 

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7 Seclusion room, complete with scratch marks in the walls.

 

8 Gymnasium

 

9 Heated swimming pool

 

Be sure to read up on my article, Silvercrest Sanatorium, for more text and for even more photographs! Enjoy.

eerie!

Yet cheery!

A rather handsome building on the outside, and fortunately it hasn't been broken into and vandalized and made useless for adaptation.

A rather handsome building on the outside, and fortunately it hasn't been broken into and vandalized and made useless for adaptation.

 

I agree.  Is it that far gone for housing.  It looks like it's in good shape.  Those floors are gorgeous!