The Old Hospital on College Hill: Where the Dead Still Roam, Part One | Grave Talks CLASSIC

The Grave Talks | Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural47mJune 4, 2026
AI-Generated Summary

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.

Key Takeaways
1

Tanya Webb was born in the hospital she now owns, making her ownership a full-circle moment tied to personal and community history.

2

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.

3

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.

4

Paranormal activity began with a voice calling Tanya’s name in an empty hallway—later confirmed not to be from any living person.

5

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

Chapters
1:39
2 min

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.

3:05
2 min

Tanya’s Personal Connection to the Hospital

I was actually born in that hospital. So my life started there. Talk about full circle, right?

Highlight
5:26
3 min

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.

8:04
2 min

The Power of a Single Voice

I stopped dead in my tracks because it startled me. I thought the team was already gone...

Highlight
10:12
3 min

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.

High-Impact Quotes
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?
Tanya Webb3:09
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.
Tanya Webb40:22
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.
Tanya Webb44:58
Speakers

Host

Carol Hughes

Guest

Tanya Webb
Topics Discussed
haunted hospital95%paranormal investigation90%historical preservation85%west virginia history80%hatfield-mccoy feud75%rural town revival70%ghost stories65%urban exploration60%
People & Brands

Williamson Memorial Hospital

organization

20xNeutral

Tanya Webb

person

12xPositive

Nurses College

organization

9xNeutral

Dr. Conley

person

8xPositive

Travel Channel

organization

7xPositive

Dr. Salton

person

6xPositive

Destination Fear

organization

6xPositive

Carol Hughes

person

5xNeutral

Charlie

person

5xPositive

Mingo County

place

4xNeutral

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