This crumbling castle-like sanatorium has been abandoned for more than 40 years, and is quietly rotting in the hills of New York.
The structure first opened its doors in 1870, and went on to serve many different functions over the years. Today, the once-grand building is being quickly reclaimed by nature.
The Jackson Sanitarium is located in Danville, New York.
Flickr/Freaktography
It was built to take advantage of the belief that the waters of a local spring, “Breakout Creek,” had healing properties. It was thought that the spring could cure everything from aches and pains, to mental illness.
Flickr/Freaktography
The site was first called Our Home on the Hillside by Caleb Jackson, a wealthy businessman who expanded the structure into the Jackson Sanitarium.
Flickr/Freaktography
He believed in a maintaining a strict diet high in vegetables and fruits, without red meat, coffee or alcohol. This type of eating was practically unheard of at the time.
Flickr/Freaktography
The facility thrived into the mid-1880s. During this time, Jackson is credited with inventing a popular healthy snack: granola.
Flickr/Freaktography
Eventually, advances in medicine led people to stop believing in “the water cure.” Business began to fail.
Flickr/Freaktography
The facility was turned into the Physical Culture Hotel in 1929, which was both a hospital and a retreat for the wealthy.
Flickr/Freaktography
Residents of Dansville recall hearing music drifting down he hill into the town, and seeing twinkling lights atop the hill when the hotel hosted its famous rooftop “starlight dances.”
Flickr/Freaktography
The place was finally shuttered in 1971. A dwindling patient population and lack of visitors forced the once-majestic Castle on the Hill to shut its doors forever.
Flickr/Freaktography
Today, the palatial structure is decaying. Much of its furniture was sold off in the 1970s, but there are still beautiful pieces of original architecture and furnishings to be found in the deepest rooms of this beautiful place.
Flickr/Freaktography
Thanks to Flickr user “Freaktography” for these beautiful shots of the sanatorium.
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