Silvercrest Sanatorium

Silvercrest Sanatorium was a tuberculosis hospital and disabled children’s development center in New Albany, Indiana. The building has since been restored.







History

The Floyd County Tuberculosis Association was established in 1917 to prevent the spread of the disease and to construct a tuberculosis sanatorium in southern Indiana. 1 The region was encompassed within the “black belt,” which included Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio where tuberculosis was prevalent.

The Association purchased the old Handy Farm on Old Vincennes Road in 1924 for $6,500 that included 42 acres, 20 of which were flat and prime for development. 1 Funding was secured through a popular subscription from the citizens of New Albany and other fundraising efforts that included neighborhood performances and plays, such as one at a residence that charged a 3-cent admission, and a more elaborate production at Glenwood Park. The latter play, titled “The Greatest Gift: A Pagent of Health,” was written for the benefit of the Association and had a cast of nearly 1,000 members.

By 1936, enough money was collected to fund the construction of a 20-bed sanatorium on the old Handy Farm. 1 The state became involved in the sanatorium planning process, and in July 1938, the Indiana General Assembly held a special session to enact a bill that would locate a site for the new Southern Indiana Tuberculosis Hospital.

The New Albany Citizens Committee (NACC) formed, and, along with the New Albany Chamber of Commerce, submitted a formal proposal that competed with twelve other communities in southern Indiana for the location of the hospital. 1 The plan stated that the Association would donate the existing hospital and land to the state. In September, the state announced that New Albany would be the home of the Southern Indiana Tuberculosis Hospital.

Construction

Indianapolis architect August Bohlen was chosen to design the new hospital. 1 Bohlen decided to use a streamlined Art Moderne style on the complex, emphasizing curving forms, curved corner windows, and a subdued color palette. 5

Construction began on the hospital in late 1938, and the $1 million, 150-bed (renamed) Silvercrest Tuberculosis Hospital opened in August 1940, taking in patients from 32 surrounding counties.

There was no formal dedication of the facility until May 10, 1941, as the new hospital was overwhelmed with demand. 5 The official ceremony included Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker and other local dignitaries.

Silvercrest contained individual patient rooms instead of wards in contrast to the older Waverly Hills Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. 1 It also featured an outpatient clinic, several laboratories, surgery rooms, a dental office, kitchen, laundry, gymnasium, and heated swimming pool. A residence for the superintendent and several guest houses were located on-site.

In December 1952, five low-rise structures, along with two large residences, were added that cost $275,000. Designed by Hawkins and Walker of New Albany, the new structures were designed in a style similar to a motel. 1

Decline and Renovation

Beginning on April 1, 1972, the state began to phase out tuberculosis treatments at Silvercrest due to the development of medicines that started to combat the disease. 1 The hospital was closed by 1974 and converted into the Silvercrest Children’s Development Center. 2 The developmentally disabled treatment facility was in operation until it closed on May 12, 2006. 3 The ARC of Indiana, an advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities, 4 stated that the $8 million a year spent at Silvercrest could be used as a match for federal Medicaid funding, potentially making $24 million available to provide home- and community-based services to more disabled children.

The Department of Health planned to file a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board on January 24, 2007, as the first measure towards possible demolition of the hospital, however, it receded the motion after significant public opposition. 2

Silvercrest was instead sold to developer Matt Chalfant in 2007 who partnered with Louisville-based Trilogy Health Services to rehabilitate the former sanatorium into an assisted living and senior independent living facility. 7 The $16 million renovation involved adding a fitness center, tennis courts, and a movie theatre. The main building was gutted to feature 25 assisted living and 54 skilled-care apartments, 26 independent living, two-bedroom patio residences, and 15 independent living apartments were built around the main building.

The project, The Villages at Historic Silvercrest, was dedicated on July 18, 2013. 6



Share

[spbsm-share-buttons]






Sources

  1. “Silvercrest: An Architectural Treasure in the Hills of New Albany.” New Albany Historic Preservation Commission. 24 Mar. 2009 Article.
  2. Fulmore, Ted. “Silvercrest Can Be Reused.” Weblog post. Our History in New Albany. 13 Jan. 2007. 24 Mar. 2009 Blog post.
  3. Moss, Dale. “So Long Silvercrest.” Weblog post. Courier-Journal. 15 May 2006. 24 Mar. 2009.
  4. “Closing Silvercrest is right decision.” News and Tribune. 23 Jan. 2006. 24 Mar. 2009 Article.
  5. ““Save Silvercrest” web site is launched: http://savesilvercrest.org/.” Weblog post. NA Confidential. 22 Jan. 2007. 24 Mar. 2009 Article.
  6. “Villages at Historic Silvercrest celebrates Grand Opening for New Facility.” One Southern Indiana. N.p., 22 July 2013. Web. 24 July 2014. Article.
  7. “Trilogy senior housing opens in New Albany.” Madison Courier 27 July 2013: n. pag. Madison Courier.com. Web. 24 July 2014. Article.

26 Comments

  1. Tina Woodby
    August 2, 2017
    Reply

    I went to school there when it was called silvercrest children’s development center. I hate that it closed and is abandoned now. I wish I could go back there to visit my old school.

  2. Demeta
    February 20, 2017
    Reply

    My husband thinks that he was born at silver crest. It does not say where he was born on his birth certificate. How can I find out?

    • Ted Agostino
      July 23, 2016
      Reply

      Read the article.

  3. J-day
    May 15, 2016
    Reply

    Is This abandoned now and if so Who can I contact to get permission to get inside to take pics??

    • Stephanie
      February 4, 2017
      Reply

      Did you ever find out how to get these records? My grandmother was there and is still living. Could she request them?

  4. Kelly Fullen
    March 11, 2016
    Reply

    My great- grandmother Mattie Jones was there in 1965 for 7 months and ended up passing away there. I would like to get records if at all possible. I would also like to hear from anyone that may have been there at that time.

  5. Catherine Onstott
    March 5, 2016
    Reply

    My grandmother, Ruby Onstott worked as a supervisor for the children who were there. I remember visiting there sitting in her office and heard voices. She is dead now

  6. December 2, 2015
    Reply

    My grandfather Osie Earl Clipp (Salem,IN 47167) died at Silvercrest in 1964. I visited him there many times. But, do not know how many yrs. he was a patient there. I would love to know about his records. Thank you, Sharon

    • Carl
      April 18, 2017
      Reply

      well they remodeled it it was re-opened in 2013 as a nursing home it can be recognized possibly from the outside however the inside entirely different

  7. Maddie
    August 21, 2015
    Reply

    I was wondering how the website obtains these pictures. Do you break in to explore and get pictures or ask permission? I am just curious as I enjoy exploring abandoned places.

  8. Ingrid
    October 10, 2013
    Reply

    Silvercrest is now open as a Nursing home and Independent living.
    You can go in and get a tour of the facility for free and they don’t advice
    you taking pictures but they don’t care as long as it doesn’t involve any of the
    residents . Taking pictures of the structure and the inside is ok. It is owned by
    the nursing home company Trilogy you can look on their website and call them
    and schedule a tour.
    My mom worked their for 14 years as a lpn until closing
    and my grandmother worked their for 20 until 2000 she worked
    in dietary . Their names are Julie B And Ingrid B

    • Roxann Totten
      February 13, 2018
      Reply

      my mother in law Darlene Bishop worked there and her Husband John Bishop for many years. Darelene was a supervisor in dietary and John worked in one of the offices not sure what he did but when they closed down both of them were very sad.

  9. susan
    September 16, 2013
    Reply

    Stanley Woodward in 1941
    Loraine Neff Woodward 1942-45
    My uncle and grandmother were here.

  10. mary terry templin
    June 17, 2013
    Reply

    mom was there when i was 5 or 6 in the late 60 remember seeing her throu the glass

  11. Dan C
    April 20, 2013
    Reply

    Just drove up there and it is still being renovated and inaccessible.

  12. Shaquille Shanklin
    March 28, 2013
    Reply

    My name is Shaquille Shanklin. I am part of a paranormal team called "Warren Paranormal Society". I was looking up information about this place and wondered who owns it now. If anybody has any information, please contact me at shakill@warrenparanormal.org OR my phone number (765) 585-2987

  13. Adrienne Rodriguez
    March 26, 2013
    Reply

    My ID (MR) sister moved away from our family in 1997-1998 to Silvercrest to learn daily living skills. We were sad to see her leave, but when she came back, she learned so much! I am happy to hear that the site is now serving the elderly population. The hill this property sits on it beautiful, and with Louisville so close, it's a nice location.

  14. donetta
    October 8, 2011
    Reply

    my mother was there at that time and i was wondering if you knew her i would love to hear about her more she died in may of 1969 her name was elsie sego

  15. Betty Young
    September 8, 2011
    Reply

    I spent l4 months at Silvercrest. It was like a girl's dorm. All private rooms. The staff was wonderful and I owe my life to them. I was there in 1952 and 1953. I had TB in both lungs and I am now 82.

  16. July 31, 2011
    Reply

    My mother (and I to a very small degree) painted a mural in 1984 in the childrens recreation room. She passed away in 1984 and there was a dedication ceremony in her honor with a bronze plaque of her image hung on the wall. Her name was Bonnie Flick and I am desperately searching to see if I can find the plaque. Please let me know if there is anything that can be done to retrieve this.

    Sincerely, Keri

  17. Dorothy Lowe Jackson
    February 14, 2011
    Reply

    I would like to know if any records are available for my father, Herbert Lowe,. He was a patient at Silvercrest TB sannitorium from Fall 1962 till Spring 1963. My Grandson has respitory problems and I would like to know if there might be a genetic connection. My addressis: 2709 State St., Columbus , IN 47201. My e-mail address is: rickyticky47@yahoo.com. Thank you.

  18. Mary Rickert
    February 9, 2011
    Reply

    Wasn't Silvercrest a Polio Hospital? Some one I know had polio as a child and that is where she was.

  19. asher
    December 14, 2010
    Reply

    can i get in here legal or not without too much breaking in i just want to photograph

  20. October 15, 2010
    Reply

    my mom and grandmother was at slivercrest 1955 my mom lived mildred june white grandmother pearl ashley lane pass away any way to find there records thanks kathy snyder

Leave your comment!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.