Nestled along the isolated, scenic base of Buffalo Mountain in southeast Oklahoma lies a regional landscape steeped in medical history, systemic tragedy, and spine-chilling lore. Often lumped together by urban explorers and ghost hunters as a single massive, haunted entity, the "abandoned medical complexes of Talihina" actually comprise two entirely separate facilities separated by just one mile of rural road: the Eastern Oklahoma Tuberculosis Sanatorium (EOTS) and the Talihina Indian Hospital (TIH).

In this episode, Tiff untangles the intertwined histories of these neighboring institutions, exploring an era when the only known "cure" for a deadly respiratory epidemic was forced exposure to freezing mountain air. We dive into the architectural marvels designed by the creators of the Oklahoma State Capitol, the horrifying reality of experimental medical procedures performed without anesthesia, and the bizarre, "cursed" opening day food poisoning outbreak that set the tone for decades of unsettling energy.

Finally, we confront the paranormal legacy that refuses to die. From the tragic ghost lore of the children’s "preventorium" at Harper Hall to firsthand accounts of a haunting graveyard worker, we examine why these heavily guarded, crumbling ruins remain some of the most culturally significant—and strictly forbidden—locations in Oklahoma.

The Geography: How a single mile of rural road near the Winding Stair Mountains caused decades of historical blurring between a state-run facility for white patients and a tribal complex for Native populations.
The Sanatorium Method: A look back at the 1920s and 30s medical philosophies, where patients slept year-round on massive, open-air screened porches, wrapped in heavy blankets to let the brisk mountain breeze fight the infection.

A Self-Sustaining Town: How the facility grew from a 50-patient camp into a massive grid designed by legendary architects Layton, Hicks, and Forsyth, complete with its own power plant and dairy farm.
The "Preventorium": The history of the historic Harper Building, built in 1930 as a state-of-the-art ward to observe children exposed to tuberculosis.
Transition to the VA: The post-1975 era, its eventual abandonment, and its current endangered status on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built by the People: A shared healthcare monument for the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, constructed out of stone from Buffalo Mountain by the WPA and Choctaw citizens.
The Cursed Dedication Day: The bizarre local folklore surrounding the October 4, 1938 formal opening luncheon, where a massive outbreak of food poisoning struck down high-ranking tribal and state dignitaries alike.
Exemplary Care Amid Shortages: The legacy of Dr. David H. Gillick, who single-handedly performed surgical procedures for 140 patients during extreme federal funding cuts.
The Modern Transition: The Indian Self-Determination Act, the move to a modern $26 million facility in 1999, and recent EPA efforts to preserve the site.

Emma’s Story: A chilling, firsthand account from a Choctaw elder who survived the hospital, detailing a terrifying interaction with a local grave-digging janitor, and the horrors of having her lung collapsed without anesthesia.
The Haunted Anatomy of the Ruins: Reports of shadowy figures, disembodied coughing, phantom footsteps in long hallways, and the chilling sound of children giggling near the old nurses' quarters.
Frozen in Time: The stark contrast between rooms entirely cleaned out and others looking as though they were suddenly ransacked and abandoned mid-use.

Zero Tolerance: A firm reminder that the site is a registered Native American Heritage Site. With 24/7 camera monitoring, active security patrols, and immediate fines/detainment by the Choctaw Nation, this is one haunted location you can only explore through your headphones.

Sources:

Abandoned Oklahoma:Old Talihina Indian Hospital

Abandoned Oklahoma: EOTS