The Old Hospital on College Hill: Where the Dead Still Roam, Part One | Grave Talks CLASSIC
Tanya Webb didn’t set out to become a paranormal tour guide—she was born in the very hospital she now owns, and her journey began as a mission to preserve a dying piece of history. When the 95-year-old Williamson Memorial Hospital faced demolition after closing in 2014, Tanya stepped in, not knowing she’d be launching a haunted attraction that would draw global visitors. Her turning point came when the Travel Channel’s *Destination Fear* chose the hospital for a season finale episode—unbeknownst to her, the show would become a viral catalyst, transforming her weekend side project into a full-time, seven-day-a-week operation. What started as a historical preservation effort quickly evolved into a paranormal hotspot, fueled by real, unexplainable experiences: a voice calling her name in an empty hallway, a heavy x-ray room door shutting on its own despite no one behind it, and eerie sounds echoing through the halls. Tanya now believes the building is alive with spirit—especially in the basement, where a Halloween prop may have become a focal point for lingering energy. Her story is not just about ghosts, but about reclaiming a forgotten legacy in a town ravaged by economic collapse, proving that sometimes, the most haunted places are the ones that still have stories to tell.
Tanya Webb was born in the hospital she now owns, making her ownership a full-circle moment tied to personal and community history.
The hospital was saved from demolition not by a developer, but by a woman who saw it as a historical treasure and a spiritual vessel.
The Travel Channel’s *Destination Fear* episode was the catalyst that turned a local curiosity into a global phenomenon, drawing visitors from around the world.
Paranormal activity began with a voice calling Tanya’s name in an empty hallway—later confirmed not to be from any living person.
A heavy, carpeted x-ray room door shut on its own twice in front of two witnesses, with no mechanical explanation and no one present.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Birth of a Haunted Legacy
Carol introduces the episode with a deep dive into the history of the Williamson Memorial Hospital, opened in 1928, which served as a medical pillar for West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia for 60 years before closing in 1988.
Tanya’s Personal Connection to the Hospital
“I was actually born in that hospital. So my life started there. Talk about full circle, right?”
From Historical Preservation to Paranormal Destination
Tanya reveals she initially bought the hospital to preserve its history, not for paranormal tourism, but her plans shifted after the Travel Channel’s *Destination Fear* approached her.
The Power of a Single Voice
“I stopped dead in my tracks because it startled me. I thought the team was already gone...”
The Architecture of History and Haunting
Tanya describes the five-story hospital and the seven-story Nurses College, both built in the 1920s, with stunning architecture that’s now partially ruined due to neglect and vandalism.
“First of all, the interesting, I guess a fact about it, I was actually born in that hospital. So my life started there. Talk about full circle, right?”
“So I pulled it out and I start texting with them. And I said, hey, are you all by chance still in the building? And they said, no, Tanya, we left about an hour ago.”
“The only thing that I can figure so it's not again and he went to open it for a third time and I just grabbed his hand. I said, stop. This is what this is just totally my opinion. I could be wrong.”
Host
Guest
Williamson Memorial Hospital
organization
Tanya Webb
person
Nurses College
organization
Dr. Conley
person
Travel Channel
organization
Dr. Salton
person
Destination Fear
organization
Carol Hughes
person
Charlie
person
Mingo County
place
The Old Hospital on College Hill: Where the Dead Still Roam, Part Two | Grave Talks CLASSIC
34m • 6/4/2026
Indiana’s Paranormal Capital? Inside Haunted Blackford County, Part Two | Grave Talks CLASSIC
20m • 6/1/2026
The Bloody Legacy of the Ma Barker House, Part One | Grave Talks CLASSIC
34m • 6/3/2026
The Bloody Legacy of the Ma Barker House, Part Two | Grave Talks CLASSIC
20m • 6/3/2026
Reiki Healing and Communicating with Spirits, Part One | Grave Talks CLASSIC
10m • 6/4/2026
The Man Who Knew Too Much | Real Ghost Stories
26m • 5/30/2026
Woman in Blue Still Waits at Moss Beach Distillery, Part One | Grave Talks CLASSIC
35m • 5/30/2026
Woman in Blue Still Waits at Moss Beach Distillery, Part Two | Grave Talks CLASSIC
19m • 5/30/2026
What Really Lives in the Olde Park Hotel? Part One | Grave Talks CLASSIC
47m • 5/30/2026
The Haunting Wasn’t the Creepiest Part of the House | After Midnight
21m • 5/30/2026
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime

