6:30 am and I’m south Georgia bound, destination, Hawkinsville.
But first, let’s back up a few months…
I spend hours and hours researching leads… generally in the wee hours of the morning when I can’t sleep, or I get on a roll. I have always been a night owl, and by far not a morning person. I love mornings, the light, the freshness in the air of a new day, I just prefer it when I have yet to go to sleep. That being said, I came across a black and white image of a beautiful brick building, with white columns on Pinterest, being from Athens, this is not a rare sight, however the windows were boarded, obviously peaking my interest.
Click the link. Nothing. Just the image. I’m not sure how long it actually took me to find this place, incredibly, there are very few sites that have included the hospital. Eventually I came across the name and location, which helped out a great deal, and stumbled upon the actual website dedicated to the Old Hawkinsville Hospital, or Taylor Memorial Hospital.
As I navigated through the site, I found a contact page. The contact page is actually directed towards paranormal investigations. But I decided to give it a try, ask if I could photograph the building during the day, and just see if I could get a response. To my utter excitement, I got a response, acknowledging that they had received my email, and the logistics of it would have to be worked out. Now, for us, this happens a lot, but there is rarely a lot of follow through, people seem to brush us off, or are not so eager to allow strangers onto their private property. Not this time, several weeks later, I received an email and phone call, she stated that she would allow me to come in and photograph the building, the catch… that Saturday… at 9am. Initially, I cringed, it’s almost three hours from home, but I sucked it up and agreed.
Fortunately, for me, the stars lined up and I had nothing scheduled for that day, but let’s be honest, I would have rearranged my whole life if I had to. Unfortunately for B, she thought it was a good idea to go zip lining that day…. so I got another b to go with me, we’ll call her b2.
The drive down was uneventful, and truth be told, my brain doesn’t work for a few hours in the morning, and 6:30 am…. that’s absurd for me. As soon as we made it into Hawkinsville, my contact called me to make sure I was still coming. I assured her I was, but that I had turned right instead of left onto the main road, as google maps decided that the intersection was the address for the hospital, it was not.
Five minutes later, there it was, standing in all it’s grandeur, surrounded by a chain link fence. And there was Ms. P, waiting at the gates to let us in. I was so excited I just wanted to run straight inside and go to town. However, I kept it together, and tried to act like a professional.
Ms. P gave us the full tour and the history of each area. I will try my best to recall some of the information, but my short term memory has never been great.
Aside from the Atlanta Prison Farm, this was one of the most difficult places to photograph, especially being given a tour as well. It’s very dark, very dark… 90% of the windows are boarded letting only streams of light in.
Remarkably the tile in the facility is in great condition, just a little dusty, even underneath the ruble on the floor.
The hospital closed in 1977 when another larger, updated facility was built. It has been mostly vacant since. Sometime recently, I don’t remember the year (imagine that) a developer bought the hospital with the intent to fill it with apartments.
The construction came to a halt when the crew and developer experienced too much paranormal activity. As you can see, the development was not far along.
In the most recent years, a halloween haunted house was set up in a few of the rooms, some of the props are still there today.
None of the furniture or decorations in the images is from the original hospital. Everything is from either the haunted house, or various movies that have been shot in the building.
if you follow my personal instagram, you have probably seen some of these images. i’m going to try to get better about posting to full tank of gas…. if you don’t already follow… do it now! you won’t regret it…
The operating room, and entrance were by far my favorite spots. The lobby area has the most beautiful architecture.
Ms. P told us a story that, back in the day, when you saw the light on in the operating room from the road, you knew someone was having surgery. Life in a small town, gossip runs wild…
Some of the rooms that I actually remember what they are :
And this was only the morning of our day… stay tuned for our next stop!
Thank you so much to Ms. P for allowing us to come in and photograph the hospital. My friends and I will definitely be back in the spring to sit in on a paranormal investigation. And I, personally, cannot wait. Ya’ll check out the links below if you’re interested in the same!
Thank you so much for reading along, I know it’s a bit longer than normal, but this was a huge building, and one of my favorites yet!
-A
http://www.theoldhawkinsvillehospital.com/index.html
http://www.sosghosthunters.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH8lTdsxhPc
Disclaimer: This is private property, we were given express permission to enter. In no way do we encourage trespassing. We are not responsible for your actions.
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Full Tank of Gas and the Money out the Mattress 
I was born in that hospital in 1958 and some of my relatives died there.
The photo of the operating room ceiling gave me chills! I remember looking up at it when I was about 7 years old and getting my tonsils out.
I moved away from the area in 76, but a lot of my family is there. I heard that construction was halted due to asbestos.
Thanks for the photo tour!!
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Janet- we are glad that you loved our photos! And we love hearing stories about the places we have visited! If you have anymore please feel free to share them with us! And thank you for viewing our work!
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we used to sneak into this building in high school at night and swore it was haunted but now when I drive through there cant help but see how beautiful the building really is
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I had two grandfathers pass away there. And I’m sure other family.
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Janet Palmer…I think I remember you. You had a brother also. I think his name is Frank?
I was born in Taylor Memorial as well in 1959. Remember this well!
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I was born in this grand old building in 1944. My mother told me it was a modern marvel then. My Dr was Dr. Bush.
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You can absolutely tell that it was a sight to see in it’s day! Thanks for sharing!
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Your photography is truly special & your talent is evident. You have shown the beauty that still remains in our historic Taylor Memoral Hospital with your photos. I appreciate your story about the last developer leaving due to paranormal activity … It is at best … entertaining! None the less it is not true. I live in Hawkinsville & served as the professional Downtown Developer for the City & GA Main Street Director & Diwntown Development Authority Staff & Hawkinsville Historic Preservation Commission staff (May 1999-February 2015). I have shown this property to prospects & developers during these almost 16 years. I have never experienced anything considered “paranormal”. I have been in every room in all 138K+ square feet of this property… In every room including the basement & attic space… Including the morgue! I know every owner of the property since the hospital closed in 1977. No construction crew or developer has ever left the property due to paranormal activity! I have taken several other photographers & videographers through the property & no ghosts or paranormal beings have ever appeared in the photos / videos. No voices some to me & I have never even had a creepy vibe while in the hospital. If there are ant spirits in there… They must be of the friendly sort! Thank you for sharing a significant piece of our history.
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Thank you so much for your comments! Please understand, we only base our stories on the stories we are told by locals, tour guides, etcetera. I do however understand where you are coming from, one of the first comments I made, once inside the building, was that it was a much lighter feeling than the prison I had been in several weeks before. There is actually a certain calmness about the building once you’re inside. I, personally, did not photograph anything that I thought was strange, or shouldn’t have been there. Nonetheless, it was still an awesome experience, and I am very thankful I was allowed to photograph it.
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this is probably just what you have experienced but others have other story’s of different experiences. We used to sneak into this building taking a video camera along and have caught some rare shots. One area of the hospital is reported to kill all battery’s and sure enough our lights went out only to start working again in another area of the hospital. I have been the the Halloween haunted house there a couple of times being told about people’s pictures and a lady standing in the window at the top. As far as the black out sit they do in the basement I have not done but have heard things do go on.
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I agree with Karen Bailey. The last renovation (incomplete and badly done) has put the building in a condition that is far worse than when the developer(s) began. If I were CEO or CFO of a lending organization, I would be sure to receive guarantees in writing (attached to all developers’ properties in case of default) that money dispersed would be in stages as work is to code and truly completed. All the incomplete building projects have destroyed the integrity of the aging beauty.
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Your photography is truly special & your talent is evident. You have shown the beauty that still remains in our historic Taylor Memorial Hospital through your photos. I appreciate your story about the last developer leaving due to paranormal activity … It is at best … entertaining! None the less it is not true. I live in Hawkinsville & served as the professional Downtown Developer for the City & GA Main Street Director & Diwntown Development Authority Staff & Hawkinsville Historic Preservation Commission staff (May 1999-February 2015). I have shown this property to prospects & developers during these almost 16 years. I have never experienced anything considered “paranormal”. I have been in every room in all 138K+ square feet of this property… In every room + the basement & attic space… Including the morgue! I know every owner of the property since the hospital closed in 1977. No construction crew or developer has ever left the property due to paranormal activity! I have taken several other photographers & videographers through the property & no ghosts or paranormal beings have ever appeared in the photos / videos. No voices have spoken to me & I have never even had a creepy vibe while in the hospital. If there are spirits in there… They must be of the friendly sort! Thank you for sharing a significant piece of our history.
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I’ll piggy back on Karen’s remarks (hey, Karen!). My sister was born in that hospital. So was my father. I went to the doctor there, so your photo of the parking lot was especially meaningful to me. The doctor’s office opened from that parking lot. Your blog is the first time I’ve ever heard of paranormal activity in the old hospital, although it now looks like the kind of building that would inspire such stories. Thank you for taking such great photos of it.
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Thank you for sharing these photos! They are great and I am so excited I got to see them. I was born in this hospital and have always wanted to see the inside! Thanks to you, I now have! Check that one off the bucket list!
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I find it odd, that people don’t think hospitals are haunted!!! Sadly, people do die there. I work in a hospital and have experienced “paranormal activity” or activity that will “make you wonder”, and I have had so MANY patients see “people in their rooms”, and they describe them all with great similarities! Some people aren’t as open to the possibilities of spirits, as others are, and that’s perfectly okay! 😀
Love your pictures and your blog!!
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These pictures are amazing, truly. My mom, Simone Darsey Taylor, was born in this hospital in 1958! I have grown up my whole life knowing about this hospital and I have always wanted to go inside. I was able to do some photography from the outside years ago. It is so awesome to see such amazing photos of the inside, while only seeing the outside my whole life. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much! It truly is a beautiful building.
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I glad you enjoyed our beautiful city small but significant.
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I was born in this hospital in 1964 and my sister in 1961. My grandma, aunts and mom was nurses here in the 60’s and 70’s. The doctor that delivered me was Dr. Batts. When I go back to Hawkinsville, I always pass by the old building remembering when I would visit my mom, grandma and aunt’s when they were working. Thanks for the article.
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Somewhere between 1975 and 1977 I lived in Hawkinsville with my mom right across the street from this hospital. I was all the time riding my bike up and down the sidewalk and this building looked so big and beautiful to me even then. Every time my husband and I travel back to Hawkinsville and drive past it I want to go inside so much just to see what it’s like in there. Thanks for taking me inside with your great pictures!
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These are amazing photos!! I was born there in 1946 & just visited Hawkinsville for an annual family reunion. Naturally, had to drive by & am so sorry that this beautiful building is going to ruin. My father was the local pharmacist at the drug store just down the street.
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This building holds a special place in my heart. I was born there in 1955. The doctors offices(Dr.Arnold,Dr.Baker,Dr.Battsto name a few) were located there and you entered thru parking lot. I visited many relatives throughout the years. I started RN school in 1975 and worked at Taylor as a nursing student and after graduation, this was the hospital of my choice to work. I was very proud to walk down the halls of this beautiful building and held my head high, with my white cap and my immaculate white uniform on! The entrance was amazing and throughout the hospital was clean as a whistle. I worked all areas in the hospital, my favorite being the Emergency Room. A sad down when Taylor closed, as we moved to the new hospital in 1977. To this day, if I am in Hawkinsville,Ga. , I ride by Taylor Hospital and smile with the best memories, but also a sadness, that this beautiful building was not preserved to it’s greatness .
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Thank you for the memories!
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Thanks for saint the picture. Brings back memories. I was born there.
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I used to ride a skateboard in the halls, back in the 90’s. Never had any paranormal experiences. Renovations were stopped due to lack of money and no investors. Sad really. Everyone was excited about the thought of it being restored.
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I was born there in 1965 and was Dr. Baker patient went here many times.
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all my ailments were treated there by Dr. Arnold from 1954-1974
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My brother was born there and my Grandmother died there. It is sad to see it go to ruin. Apartments would have been great. As a matter of fact, I probably would have rented one myself had they been reasonable. Wish they would finish what they started.
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I lived in Hawkinsville parthe of my childhood. It is really a beautiful building or should I say was in its day. Hawkinsville has many historical business that are crumbling away. I would love to see someone who had the funds to revitalized this beautiful some river town. So much wasted history. Thank you for sharing your photos
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I was born in that hospital in 1962, as were my two older sisters. And had kin folks pass away there also. I remember the sitting room with all the glass that connected the buildings. It was beautiful filled with plants and the chairs to sit in. It was my favorite place in the hospital. From one side you saw the main road and the other was view of the back parking out. The hospital was beautiful when is was up and running also . It’s a shame it got so run down. I was born and raised in Hawkinsville, just moved away 3 years ago. Thanks for the memories and beautiful pictures.
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I love your pictures of this grand building. I was born there in 1962 by Dr Arnold. He also treated me thru out the years until his retirement. I too remember the operating room when I had my tonsils out. My mom, Virginia Courson and Aunt Eula Mae Thombley worked there. I heard lots of stories about this facility. I really hope the new owners will treat the building with the care it deserves. It’s a icon for most of the citizens of Hawkinsville, Pulaski County. Thanks for the pictures, brings back wonderful memories.
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please post this site on Hawkinville/Pulaski County yesterday. Today, and Tomorrow public group site so all hawkinsville residents can see. Thanks
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John- I’m not sure if we have access to that page. However, we encourage any and everyone to share our page everywhere! Thank you!
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Thankyou Obamacide for making healthcare afffordable!
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I saw where a paranormal crew went in their to investigate it was on TV and they said there was a little girl, and a shadow figure in there. I also lived in H-ville and always wanted to go in and explore but was concerned with the deteriation of the building. It looks like it may be haunted. I’ve rode by quite a few times since I watched the paranormal show and I’ve been looking for the apparitions in the windows, haven’t seen anything. But they say on those shows that its. Definitely hunted. It is a beautiful buildong
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Connected to this hospital and the one that replaced, was born in the older one and my father was in charge of construction for the current hospital that was completed in 1977
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