The Haunted Candler Hospital in Georgia - 3rd Palm Paranormal Places
- NICHOLAS DODGE
- Aug 14
- 5 min read
It's the second oldest hospital ever built on independent American soil that's still operating to this day, with the first being the Bellevue in New York. However, unlike the Bellevue, this hospital takes the number one spot in Georgia's "most haunted" locations.
In the 1730's a Mormon missionary by the name of George Whitfield brought medicine to seamen and others across the state. After Whitfield's diligence with the mostly sick and poor of the area, his operations were chartered in 1804, with the hospital's location being moved in 1819, and after numerous name-changes and the like it officially became known as Candler Hospital (named after Bishop Warren A. Candler) in 1992.
But from a Union takeover during the Civil War, a Methodist Church purchase of the property; from Yellow Fever outbreaks, old morgue tunnels, and an ancient oak tree sapped in dark energy, there seems to be more to this hospital than most. And the deaths here aren't just that of a regular hospital. At points this place was overwhelmed with death and disease, including POW's, the clinically insane, and more.
So, unless you're looking for a simple doctor's visit, prepare yourself for the paranormal!
Presently:
Although the namesake of Candler has expanded itself into separate facilities, the original Candler Hospital in Georgia remains both a historical site and a national care location for cancer treatment. Founded in 1804, this 384-bed hospital was once the prime location for Union soldiers, those suffering from extreme mental illnesses, and sickly others.
At the moment, the name Candler will mainly refer to its offsite locations within its nearby vicinity. As for the original location of Candler Hospital, it's currently accepting reservations for various ghost tours across the state. Again, this hospital is still a refuge for cancer patients and the like (though this information may be confused with the brand new buildings that were built alongside the Candler name).
Candler Hospital itself has a very confusing history, mainly regarding its ownership, title/namesake, and online research locality. However, we've been able to focus on the original 1804 location for the sake of this article and will not be mentioning any of its offset locations by the same name.
Malpractice, Disease, & the Secretive Dead:
As mentioned before, it's the second oldest and still operating hospital within the United States. Originally built by and for George Whitfield, who's main goal was to aid the sick, the poor, and seamen of either or both qualities in the 1730's, it was later officially established in 1804 as a governing hospital of the state of Georgia. Years later in 1808 it was later named the Savannah Poor House & Hospital Society. However, in 1816 the hospital was moved where it would remain for the next 160 years.
In 1864 the hospital was commandeered as a Union Hospital during the Civil War until 1866 and near to the same time 600-Confederate soldiers were held captive either at or nearby the hospital's location. Although a death count does not exist for the soldiers who were either aided or held captive at the time, we can assume that there was a high level of negative energy filling the space during this time.
During the remainder of those 160 years though, massive tragedy would strike time and time again. Around 1876 the Candler Hospital was one of the few medical facilities treating Yellow Fever at the time. The breakout of Yellow Fever at the time, which causes high fever, bleeding (from the nose, eyes, and/or mouth), bodies aches/pain, nausea, and back then a severe death, was running so rampant that Candler could not keep up with demand.
Eventually, due to overcrowding and the like, hundreds (if not a thousand or more) of individuals had died or waited for their deaths within Candler Hospital. This information has led to the local folklore of secret underground tunnels in which a majority of bodies were hidden and disposed of. Though, most modern evidence reinstates that this basement (which does exist) was constructed to replace an above-ground dead-house design within the building, as well as provide better ventilation for the morgue and autopsy rooms. Yet, the rumors of secretively buried bodies remain to this day...
And although no specific dates can be found regarding this next portion of information, it is said that the Candler Hospital was also used as a psychiatric ward for the mentally insane and deeply disturbed. The worst part in regard to this information is the fact that the hospital (at the time) had used extremely torturous and outdated methods of mental help treatment, mainly that of shock therapy. Though much of the original accounts regarding these implications seem to either be buried or forgotten.
Dark Pathways & Insane Activity:
Imagine being one of hundreds, or even thousands to have to lay helpless on the floor, overheating from a fever, every muscle in your body aching, as suddenly you go to wipe a tear of pain from your eye and find a red smear of blood has fallen instead. With only days to live, the medical practice at the time being completely unrecognizable from todays, and your body is withering away like everyone else around you. Your death is unfortunately a dreadfully painful one, though your body turns into just another corpse to be bagged and carried away.
As your bagged and place onto a gurney or rolling table, you're not transferred to any autopsy, nor morgue or cemetery of the like. Instead, through dark and secret tunnels beneath the hospital in which you just passed away, you are brought into a room behind a hidden wall. Inside, you are tossed into a pile of rotting death, much like yourself now, as your body decays, rots, and withers away amongst hundreds of others.
This is the story and idea that's deeply rooted with the Candler Hospital during gits Yellow Fever era, in which the hospital was overcrowded.
Or perhaps you're a captive of the Union, having fought on the Confederate's side during the American Civil War. With other prisons and encampments already filled, you're stuck here. Though, you're not just stuck, you're watching as Union soldiers (your enemies) get treated for diseases, their wounds, and other ailments, while you sit secluded, entrapped, unable to do anything but watch your fellow man get better treatment than you for existing on a different side of the same war.
That dark energy is more than capable of leeching onto and manifesting within a provided location, such as that of Candler Hospital during the era.
However, nothing has been mentioned in regard to the hospital's most unknown, mysterious, and (perhaps) most valuable conduit of supernatural energy. The 300-year-old oak tree still living near Forsyth Park in Savannah Georgia, ride beside the original Candler Hospital, is a natural spectacle that shouldn't exist. While most oak trees have a lifespan of 100-300 years, some "champion" species can live for around a millennium.
Rooted in the early 1700's, with the asphalt being removed around it in the 1980's, this particular oak has stood the test of time. Having gathered the strength and transferred energy from the countless dead amongst the hospital and is said to have grown over the manufactured tunnels in which the secret dead have been tosses aside.
Although the tunnels may be an urban legend of the region, the oak is not and has clearly survived due to the expended energy provided by the land, its dead, and the supernatural energy surrounding the area.
While researching the Candler Hospital, many sites and resources became confusing given the constant name changes throughout the decades, as well as the newly constructed and operating sites nearby. However, the original Candler Hospital, located on 5353 Reynolds Street, has such a history and energy to it that we believe there's more to explore and become aware of at this paranormal place.
The Haunted Candler Hospital in Georgia - 3rd Palm Paranormal Places
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