Practical Info
History
Tuberculosis, once known as “consumption” or the “white plague,” was among the deadliest diseases in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spreading through the air when infected individuals coughed or sneezed. Before antibiotics existed, the standard treatment was rest, fresh air, sunlight, and proper nutrition — a regimen best delivered at dedicated sanatoriums built in rural settings away from cities. This approach fueled a wave of sanatorium construction across the country in the early 1900s, particularly in regions like the “black belt” spanning Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, where infection rates ran especially high. The disease remained a leading cause of death in the U.S. into the 1940s, until the development of antibiotics like streptomycin began to make it treatable rather than a death sentence — a shift that would eventually make institutions like Silvercrest obsolete.
In 1917, the Floyd County Tuberculosis Association was founded to combat the spread of tuberculosis and to build a sanatorium in southern Indiana. [1]
In 1924, the Association bought the old Handy Farm on Old Vincennes Road for $6,500. The 42-acre property included 20 flat acres well-suited to development. [1] Funding came from public subscriptions among New Albany citizens and various fundraisers, including a neighborhood performance charging 3-cent admission and a larger production at Glenwood Park called “The Greatest Gift: A Pageant of Health,” which drew a cast of nearly 1,000 people and was staged specifically to benefit the Association.
By 1936, the Association had raised enough to build a 20-bed sanatorium on the Handy Farm site. [1] The state then stepped into the planning process, and in July 1938 the Indiana General Assembly held a special session to pass legislation selecting a site for a new Southern Indiana Tuberculosis Hospital.
The newly formed New Albany Citizens Committee (NACC), together with the New Albany Chamber of Commerce, submitted a formal bid, competing against twelve other southern Indiana communities for the hospital. [1] Their proposal offered to donate the Association’s existing hospital and land to the state. That September, the state selected New Albany as the hospital’s location.
Construction
Indianapolis architect August Bohlen was selected to design the new facility. [1] He chose a streamlined Art Moderne style, marked by curving forms, curved corner windows, and a muted color palette. [5]
Construction began in late 1938. The finished hospital — a $1 million, 150-bed facility renamed Silvercrest Tuberculosis Hospital — opened in August 1940, admitting patients from 32 surrounding counties.
Demand was so high that a formal dedication wasn’t held until May 10, 1941. [5] The ceremony included Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker and other local officials.
Unlike the older Waverly Hills Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky, Silvercrest gave patients individual rooms rather than wards. [1] The complex also included an outpatient clinic, several laboratories, surgery rooms, a dental office, a kitchen, a laundry, a gymnasium, and a heated swimming pool, along with a superintendent’s residence and guest houses on-site.
In December 1952, five low-rise buildings and two large residences — designed in a motel-like style by the New Albany firm Hawkins and Walker — were added at a cost of $275,000. [1]
Decline and Renovation
Starting April 1, 1972, the state began phasing out tuberculosis treatment at Silvercrest as new medicines made the disease easier to control. [1] The hospital closed by 1974 and was repurposed as the Silvercrest Children’s Development Center. [2] This facility for developmentally disabled patients operated until it closed on May 12, 2006. [3] The ARC of Indiana, an advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities, argued that the $8 million spent annually at Silvercrest could instead be used to match federal Medicaid funds — potentially unlocking $24 million for home- and community-based services for disabled children. [4]
On January 24, 2007, the Department of Health planned to file a Certificate of Appropriateness with the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board, a first step toward possible demolition — but withdrew the request after strong public opposition. [2]
Later in 2007, Silvercrest was sold to developer Matt Chalfant, who partnered with Louisville-based Trilogy Health Services to convert the former sanatorium into an assisted living and senior independent living community. [7] The $16 million renovation added a fitness center, tennis courts, and a movie theater. The main building was gutted and rebuilt to house 25 assisted living and 54 skilled-care apartments, while 26 independent-living two-bedroom patio homes and 15 independent-living apartments were constructed around it.
The completed project, The Villages at Historic Silvercrest, was dedicated on July 18, 2013. [6]
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Sources & Citations
References for this location, in MLA format.
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- “Silvercrest: An Architectural Treasure in the Hills of New Albany.” New Albany Historic Preservation Commission, 24 Mar. 2009. ↗
- Fulmore, Ted. “Silvercrest Can Be Reused.” Our History in New Albany, 13 Jan. 2007. ↗
- Moss, Dale. “So Long Silvercrest.” Courier-Journal, 15 May 2006.
- “Closing Silvercrest is right decision.” News and Tribune, 23 Jan. 2006.
- “Save Silvercrest.” City of New Albany, 22 Jan. 2007. ↗
- “Villages at Historic Silvercrest celebrates Grand Opening for New Facility.” One Southern Indiana, 22 Jul. 2013. Accessed 24 July 2014.
- “Trilogy senior housing opens in New Albany.” Madison Courier, 27 Jul. 2013. Accessed 24 July 2014.
My Great Grand mother was a patient there in 1952, for 8 months. Her name was Ethel Jessup, I am doing family history and would like to know how I can get in contact with someone regarding her medical records. Any help with this would be very much appreciated. Thanks
Jeff
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.
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?
Read the article.
Is This abandoned now and if so Who can I contact to get permission to get inside to take pics??
Did you ever find out how to get these records? My grandmother was there and is still living. Could she request them?
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
Thank you for the heads up!
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.
Stanley Woodward in 1941
Loraine Neff Woodward 1942-45
My uncle and grandmother were here.
mom was there when i was 5 or 6 in the late 60 remember seeing her throu the glass
Just drove up there and it is still being renovated and inaccessible.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Wasn't Silvercrest a Polio Hospital? Some one I know had polio as a child and that is where she was.
can i get in here legal or not without too much breaking in i just want to photograph
It is under renovations, and is inaccessible.
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