Abandoned hospital where patients were sent to die and now lie buried an hour out of Sydney

Just one-and-a-half hours drive south of Sydney, 2,000 souls lie lost and buried beneath overgrown bush land: former patients from a century-old sanatorium now long forgotten.

Now the land is an abandoned graveyard, inaccessible by foot and barely visible through broken branches, thick undergrowth and the tree canopies that grow above.

At the turn of the century, tuberculosis – otherwise known as consumption or the White Plague – ravaged the newly federated nation. 

With no cure the highly infectious sufferers were instead contained in sanatoriums. 

It was here where people were sent to die.

 

Just one-and-a-half hours drive south of Sydney, 2,000 souls lie lost and buried beneath overgrown bush land: former patients from a century-old sanatorium now long forgotten

At the turn of the century, tuberculosis ravaged the newly federated nation. With no cure the highly infectious sufferers were instead contained in sanatoriums

At the turn of the century, tuberculosis ravaged the newly federated nation. With no cure the highly infectious sufferers were instead contained in sanatoriums

At the turn of the century, tuberculosis ravaged the newly federated nation. With no cure the highly infectious sufferers were instead contained in sanatoriums

Opening in 1909, the hospital housed 164 beds and was purposely isolated in the bush. Patients were sent, often against their will, to the fresh air and nature surrounds

Opening in 1909, the hospital housed 164 beds and was purposely isolated in the bush. Patients were sent, often against their will, to the fresh air and nature surrounds

The now-abandoned Waterfall Sanatorium lies on the edges of Helensburgh, a small town about 60km south of Sydney.

Opening in 1909, the hospital’s main building housed 180 beds form male patients and was purposely isolated in the bush. 

By 1912, a new wing for 120 female patients was completed, according to NSW state archives. 

Due to overcrowding, emergency beds were often placed on verandahs.

Patients were sent, often against their will, to the fresh air and natural surrounds which doctors purported would help cure the disease. 

Until the 1950s, hospital staff buried around 2,000 people in the graveyard nearby. At its peak, a patient was buried every three to six days
Until the 1950s, hospital staff buried around 2,000 people in the graveyard nearby. At its peak, a patient was buried every three to six days

Until the 1950s, hospital staff buried around 2,000 people in the graveyard nearby. At its peak, a patient was buried every three to six days

The now-abandoned Waterfall Sanatorium lies on the edges of Helensburgh, a small town about 60km south of Sydney

The now-abandoned Waterfall Sanatorium lies on the edges of Helensburgh, a small town about 60km south of Sydney

Sufferers were shunned by society, abandoned by their families and too infectious to be around others. Due to overcrowding, emergency beds were placed on verandahs (pictured)

Sufferers were shunned by society, abandoned by their families and too infectious to be around others. Due to overcrowding, emergency beds were placed on verandahs (pictured)

Thomas Kennedy, (left) with his wife Lydia (right) died at the Sanatorium in 1923, and are buried in Garrawarra Cemetery

Thomas Kennedy, (left) with his wife Lydia (right) died at the Sanatorium in 1923, and are buried in Garrawarra Cemetery

Sufferers were often shunned by society, abandoned by their families and deemed too infectious to be around others.

The Waterfall Sanatorium was the state’s only purpose-built facility for people suffering tuberculosis. 

Sitting at 1,000 feet above sea level, it was chosen as it was believed that tuberculosis patients needed to be elevated and away from the grime and pollution of cities. 

Until the 1950s, hospital staff buried around 2,000 people in the graveyard nearby. 

At its peak, a patient was buried every three to six days, Consultant Archaeologist Asher Ford told the Woolongong City Council.   

Sixteen-year-old Vincent Arena died on February 4, 1926. Pictured centre with his family

Sixteen-year-old Vincent Arena died on February 4, 1926. Pictured centre with his family

Patients in the active phase of the disease were isolated in fibro chalets, (pictured) about the size of a garden shed, until they improved in health, or died 

Patients in the active phase of the disease were isolated in fibro chalets, (pictured) about the size of a garden shed, until they improved in health, or died 

Only the crumbling remains of graves remain, with a handful of gravestones legible

Only the crumbling remains of graves remain, with a handful of gravestones legible

Only the crumbling remains of graves remain, with a handful of gravestones legible

Stories past down from the town talk of patients making their way through the bush to the rail line, either to wave at passing travellers or in a bid to escape

Stories past down from the town talk of patients making their way through the bush to the rail line, either to wave at passing travellers or in a bid to escape

The youngest to be buried was just three days old and the oldest was 101. 

When patients arrived in the active phase of the disease, they were isolated in fibro chalets about the size of a garden shed, until they improved in health, or died. 

Stories past down from the town talk of patients making their way through the bush to the rail line, either to wave at passing travellers or in a bid to escape. Sometimes passengers would toss newspapers from the windows. 

Only the crumbling remains of graves remain, with headstones falling into disrepair, unable to be read after decades.

The Sanatorium closed in 1958 when antibiotics and modern medicine provided treatment for sufferers and patients were accepted into public hospitals.

Illawarra council resolved to prepare a conservation management plan to decide what should be done with the site. 

Illawarra council resolved to prepare a conservation management plan to decide what should be done with the site

Illawarra council resolved to prepare a conservation management plan to decide what should be done with the site

The Sanatorium closed in 1958 when antibiotics and modern medicine provided treatment for sufferers and patients were accepted into public hospitals

The Sanatorium closed in 1958 when antibiotics and modern medicine provided treatment for sufferers and patients were accepted into public hospitals

  

 



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