Local Mystery. . . . . .Solved??

Way, way back in 1968, I made my first trip from Washington, D.C. to Erwin, Tennessee, to view the beautiful valley my parents had chosen for relocating their business. On that very first trip, I couldn't help but notice a beautiful, large, stately home -- right on what was then the main highway heading north and south, 11E/19W -- which was completely boarded up. In such a lovely neighborhood (across the street from the university president's home, in fact), it seemed quite out of place and odd. The grounds were meticulously groomed, yet the house was sealed like a tomb!

For the 40 years since, that house has remained the same. . . .boarded up yet obviously cared for. In all these decades of passing the house (sometimes 4 times a day), I have never once seen anyone on the property, either mowing the lawn or otherwise showing signs of life. For the 40 years since, I have asked countless people what the story was behind this apparently abandoned jewel, but got little in the way of answers. I would only be told that "it used to be a hospital."

Finally, I seem to have stumbled upon some answers to this mystery. Chilling though this account may be, it is the first -- and only -- history I have ever been able to find. Read it, and decide for yourself. . . . .

Swingle Hospital was the first hospital in Johnson City. The hospital is located near Science Hill High School and Heritage Manor. It is said that back in the 1920's, Dr. Swingle performed simple surgeries in this privately owned estate. Dr. Swingle was a sloppy surgeon and all of his patients would die on the operating table. If you slowly walk up the front walkway, between the row of hedges, leading to the main entrance you can hear the voices of the insane doctor and his staff, and if you walk around to the back of the house you can hear the screams of the dead patients, who are buried in the backyard. You cannot get in to the old hospital due to boarded windows and doors. If you decide to visit the hospital, park on the street next to it and walk over, but stay away from the road. If caught on Swingle property, you can be charged with breaking and entering. Be careful, cops watch that place very heavily.

Update: My daughter, Dawn, has located a much more detailed -- and far less 'dramatic' -- story about the old Swingle house. It even appears to have a direct connection to a very good friend of my brother. . . .! Read it, and see more photos at the following website. Fascinating!! www.hauntmastersclub.com/places/washington_county_jc_swingle.