In December, my husband and I drove to Oklahoma City for a company Christmas party. On the trip home, I stopped by some abandoned beauties. Logan Memorial County Hospital in Guthrie, Oklahoma was by far one of my favorite stops. Construction began 1925, and then purchased by a Guthrie nonprofit organization and renamed in 1932, the hospital was renamed Cimarron Valley Wesley Hospital.  In 1946, the Order of the Sisters of Benedict purchased the hospital and completed construction. St. Anthony Hospital , owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, Mo., bought the hospital in 1964, renaming it Alvero Heights Hospital.

The name was changed to Logan County Memorial Hospital in 1974. Deeded in 1977 to the county, a replacement facility was built west of Guthrie in October, 1978.

The 55,000-square-foot, -story building, in Guthrie, were at one point scheduled to be remodeled into a 50 to 70 one-two bedroom apartments. Unfortunately, the project never happened. The old hospital is rumored to be haunted, and people claimed to see apparitions in the building’s windows. Some who have been brave enough to venture inside, in spite of the no trespassing regulations, have had other unnerving experiences. Lights are said to flicker on and off just as if the place is still occupied. When I knelt down in the grass, a raven posed for me giving me the perfect eerie look. The hospital has been nicknamed, The Lady, and there is an ongoing paranormal investigative research project. See below!

The OKCPRG-PPRG have been doing research on the property for over 10 years now, covering the entire facility with cameras and they have caught numerous pieces of evidence throughout the years, which you can read all about: OKCPRG-PPRG Website. I think this is such an amazing idea! You have to actually sign up in order to watch the web-cams, but if you do you can watch them at any time of day–24/7! When I was there at the hospital, I had no idea about this. So of course now I have started watching the webcams!! Another fascinating piece of history is Karen Silkwood, who died in a car crash, was taken by rescue squad to Logan County Memorial Hospital, dead on arrival. More on Karen’s mysterious real-life-mystery here.

“Certainly, the terror of a deserted house swells in geometrical rather than arithmetical progression as houses multiply to form a city of stark desolation. The sight of such endless avenues of fishy-eyed vacancy and death, and the thought of such linked infinities of black, brooding compartments given over to cob-webs and memories and the conqueror worm, start up vestigial fears and aversions that not even the stoutest philosophy can disperse.” ―H.P. Lovecraft, The Shadow Over Innsmouth

Remember if you try and sneak a peek at this place, the local police will be right around the corner. My husband and I had barely parked along the curb, and I walked onto the grass when the police officer pulled up to speak to me. He explained that the neighbors call them the instant anyone approaches the abandoned hospital. I showed him my camera, as I always, asking if I could please just take photos. He smiled and told me as long as I stayed on the street and sidewalk, it would be fine. Just as with most of the properties I photograph, he said there have been many vandals, so the neighbors are quick to call the police. He told me to stay off of the grass. My husband snapped a quick photo of the police officer leaving below.

I could not stay long, and certainly wish I had more time to spend with “The Lady.” She is truly magnificent.

If you live in Oklahoma, the Abandoned Oklahoma Site has some great links to maps of places for you.

Trish Eklund is the owner and creator of Abandoned, Forgotten, & Decayed, and Family Fusion Community, an online resource for blended families of all types. Trish’s photography has been featured on Only in Nebraska, ListVerse, Nature Takes Over and Pocket Abandoned. Check out the new Bonanza Store for AFD merchandise! Follow on Instagram and Facebook. Trish is regularly featured on The Mighty,  Huffington Post Divorce, and Her View From Home.  She has also been featured on Making Midlife Matter, and The Five Moms, and has an essay in the anthology, Hey, Who’s In My House? Stepkids Speak Out by Erin Mantz.

Categories: Abandoned Hospital, Oklahoma, Trish EklundTags: Abandoned Hospital, Gutherie Oklahoma, Logan Memorial Hospital, Trish Eklund