Molly Stark Sanatorium
In the heart of Ohio's rolling countryside lies a testament to both the resilience of the human spirit and the relentless battle against disease: the Molly Stark Sanatorium. Established in the early 1929, this sprawling complex emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of tuberculosis, a disease that cast a long shadow over the lives of countless individuals and communities. In some communities, it took one in nine lives. The disease was dubbed “The White Plague”. It was only fitting that the building be named after Elizabeth “Molly” Stark, wife of Revolutionary War general John Stark, who treated soldiers infected with “The Red Plague”, smallpox. Tuberculosis was first discovered by Hippocrates who named is consumption. The disease ran rampant across parts of the world where people were forced inside, either during cold winters, or in factories and mines. The disease did not discriminate against poor or rich, as there was no known treatment in the early 1900’s. It was the leading cause of death in Ohio at the time Molly Stark was built.
In response to this growing crisis, sanatoriums began to spring up across the country, offering a retreat for those afflicted with the disease and a place for rest, fresh air, and medical treatment. Molly Stark was one of 25 sanatoriums built in Ohio with the expressed purposed of treating tuberculosis. The early years of Molly Stark Sanatorium were marked by a combination of medical experimentation and compassionate care. Patients were prescribed a regimen of rest, nutritious food, and exposure to fresh air and sunlight, believed to have therapeutic effects on those suffering from tuberculosis. Many sanatoriums, including Molly Stark, were built in rural areas to take advantage of the clean, unpolluted air thought to aid in recovery. The passages in-between building were even built underground by the Works Progress Administration in 1938 to help preserve the pristine countryside. The sanatarium was set up so that the bed ridden patients would be on the upper floors, with large open balconies to be wheeled out to and the patients who were either on their way to recovery or less inflicted would be on the lower floors as the were encouraged to walk around the premises.
As medical understanding of tuberculosis evolved, so too did the treatments offered at Molly Stark. In the 1920s and 1930s, the discovery of streptomycin and other antibiotics marked a turning point in the fight against TB. These medications offered hope for a cure to those afflicted with the disease, leading to a decline in the need for long-term sanatorium care. However, the treatment of tuberculosis remained challenging, with patients often requiring lengthy courses of multiple antibiotics to fully eradicate the bacteria from their bodies.
Throughout its history, Molly Stark Sanatorium adapted to meet the changing needs of its patients and the evolving understanding of tuberculosis. The introduction of chest X-rays in the mid-20th century allowed for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of the disease, enabling medical professionals to intervene sooner and prevent its spread. Additionally, advancements in surgical techniques, such as the collapse therapy known as pneumothorax, offered new options for treating advanced cases of TB.
By the latter half of the 20th century, with the advent of widespread vaccination and improved public health measures, the tide began to turn against tuberculosis. The development of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in the 1920s provided a means of immunizing against TB, particularly in regions where the disease remained prevalent. Public health campaigns promoting hygiene, sanitation, and early detection further contributed to the decline of tuberculosis in the developed world. The declining need for dedicated sanatoriums like Molly Stark led to changes in their use and ultimately their closure. Many former sanatoriums were repurposed as general hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities, while others fell into disrepair or were demolished. Molly Stark went through most all of these. After closing as a sanatorium, it reopened as a rehabilitation clinic and operated as such until 1995. Upon its closing the building sat abandoned and fell into disrepair and in 2009, the area was sold and made a state park. In 2023, it was officially announced that Molly Stark would be demolished despite years of promises to restore the building. Many claim the building is haunted, and they can hear noises coming from the inside. Im convinced though that the noises are just the raccoons living in the walls. We heard a lot of those when we were in there.
