Unraveling the Mysteries of Brookhaven’s Haunted Hospital
If you were wandering down the streets of Brookhaven in the early 1970s, just a little past the corner of Osborne Road and Peachtree Road, you might have stumbled upon a place with an eerie reputation. The corner, where the DeKalb Services Center and Brookhaven Park now stand, was once home to the U.S. Veterans Hospital #48, a site that would come to chill many locals and visitors alike.
A Piece of History in Atlanta
The journey of Veterans Hospital #48 began way back in 1919, rising from the ashes of the old Cheston King Sanitarium. The U.S. government bought the property for a mere $90,000—a steal back then—to cater to the veterans returning from World War I and the Spanish American War. Nestled in the heart of Brookhaven, the hospital served its community until 1966. By then, the new Atlanta Veterans Administration Hospital had made its debut on Clairmont Road, marking the end of an era for this storied facility.
By 1969, they started tearing down what was left of the hospital. However, if locals from the 1970s are to be believed, the structure proved to be stubborn, lingering until at least 1976. What had transformed this once vital institution into a relic of yesteryear?
From Healing to Haunting
After being classified as “surplus government land,” the property was handed over to DeKalb County in 1972. It didn’t take long before the abandoned hospital became the unlikely home for a haunted attraction known as the “Scream in the Dark”. Launching in 1973, this event was a unique venture of the Atlanta Youth for Christ Campus Life Division, promising spooks and shrieks guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.
People who dared to enter remember chilling sights, like a spooky operating room featuring ominous doctors and nurses dripping with fake blood. Despite the building’s ghostly aura, it attracted many who enjoyed the thrill of harmless fright, creating a fun alternative to traditional Halloween misadventures.
The Haunt Lives On
While the hospital itself may have stood broken and overgrown with foliage, complete with discarded metal beds and scattered furniture, the “Scream in the Dark” attraction lived on well through the decade. It moved locations as needed, finding homes even in spaces designated for demolition or development. As late as 1979, it continued to scare and entertain at Belvedere Plaza’s former department store location. By then, it had built quite a following, regarded as a staple for those looking for a thrill with a good cause.
Beyond the frights, these events helped raise funds for the Atlanta Youth for Christ, making community impact along with a chilling good time. It served as a great chance for residents and visitors to rewind history, with a dash of horror thrown in for good measure.
A New Chapter for an Old Corner
As time moved forward, the landscapes around Osborne Road and Peachtree Road evolved. In 1978, plans were set for the relocation of the DeKalb Services Center to take root at this very corner, a sign that the past was giving way to the future. Yet, for those who remember, the memory of the haunted hospital and the playful scares of the “Scream in the Dark” linger, like whispers from the shadows.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a curious visitor, knowing the history behind seemingly ordinary spots can often lead to surprising discoveries. Brookhaven’s haunted hospital may have closed its doors long ago, but its legend lives on in the stories shared and the thrills remembered.
