| |
| The
old Memorial Hospital in Palestine
appears to be little more than a dilapidating building these days, but was once
a busy medical center, where area residents sought care, worked, or visited loved
ones. Locals also say the basement of the building was once the city morgue, where
bodies were stored until either identified or claimed. |
 |
The old hospital has
been abandoned as a care facility, however locals claim the facility has not been
entirely deserted. Supernatural tales have lived within the old hospital far prior
to the closing of the facility. Former patients that checked in, but never checked
out are believed to haunt the building, as well as the stirring spirits of unclaimed
bodies in the basement.
Apparitions of deceased patients have allegedly
been seen in the building. Spirits have allegedly made their presence known over
the years in many ways. According to local legend, apparitions of deceased patients
have been seen in the building. Spirits have allegedly been making their presence
known over the years in many ways.
Claims of paranormal activity in the
building resonate through legends of the old hospital, and continue to drive fear
into the hearts of locals to this day. Former employees who once walked the halls
of the old hospital, checking patience and dispensing meds, say they would never
return to the building where they witnessed the living dead.
Apparitions
of patients are said to wander the halls of the old hospital in search of their
loved ones. Some have reported seeing a man in a wheelchair traveling the hallways.
The man bound to the wheelchair is said to be looking for his wife, who passed
just days after he did in their home. The man can allegedly be heard weeping and
moaning in great sorrow as he passes through the halls calling out for his beloved.
Others who lay claim to ghostly encounters have reported unusual noises
that have no explainable origin. The sounds of doors opening and closing, and
footsteps shuffling down the halls can reportedly still be heard in the facility.
Some who are not quite brave enough to enter the building have said they have
heard sounds coming from within the building while passing by on foot or while
riding their bike along the bordering sidewalk.
The old ICU area of the
building is said to be full of mysterious noises and voices. Some say that they
have heard what sounds like a ventilator, working diligently to supply oxygen
to someone. Others say the faint sound of a heart monitor flat lining can be heard
in the ICU area. Reports of voices mumbling aimless banter and chattering prayers
are said to fill the halls of the old ICU unit.
Locals say unexplainable
cold gusts of air rush out of broken windows and can be felt while standing near
the building, even during the dog days of the East
Texas summer. Some of the now vacant patient rooms are said to harbor cold
air that could chill one to the bone. The cold air is reportedly almost always
followed by individuals sensing the looming presence of someone or something unknown.
Records
are still stored in the old hospital building, and occasionally must be accessed.
Those who must venture into the building to obtain the records are said to do
so as quickly as possible. According to locals, no one willfully enters the building
of their own accord for fear of encountering the spirits that loiter in the building.
|
 |
On
the intersection of S. Royal and E. Brazos
Photo by Dana
Goolsby, October 2010 |
Just standing near
the old hospital can be a haunting experience. One’s imagination will reel while
gazing at the building, and into the broken windows. Blurry images from within
begin to take shape if gazed upon in curiosity too long.
The old hospital,
though not in use, has seemingly not been entirely abandoned. The city of Palestine
may no longer have use for the building, but the spirits within seem to be restlessly
busy inside. If you are passing by the old hospital, where some lives were saved
and others were lost, beware of the spirits that may seem to beckon to you from
within. The calls and cries that can allegedly be heard, are not calling for you
to come in, but rather they are calling to be set free and reunited with others
from the other side.
© Dana
Goolsby
"In The Pines With
Dana Goolsby"
April 1, 2011 Column
More
Texas Ghosts
Related Topics:
Tales from Texas' Past | East
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