Nopeming Sanatorium: a historical archive dive explaining its reputation
This article was originally published in the October print edition of The Bark, distributed at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.
All photos courtesy of University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
In the 20th century, Nopeming Sanatorium gained recognition as one of the most notorious tuberculosis hospitals in the country. Today, it is known as one of Duluth’s most haunted attractions. The history of Nopeming can explain the drastic change in the building’s reputation.
Nopeming Sanatorium - A Tuberculosis Hospital
Tuberculosis is a highly fatal bacterial infection that affects the lungs and can spread throughout the body. According to the CDC, tuberculosis started in 1889 and was one of the leading causes of deaths in the 1900s, taking 194 out of every 100,000 US citizens' lives.
The infectious disease continued to spread, taking many victims with. The care needed to keep up with the disease was not available. Thus, Nopeming opened May 22, 1912 in the woods of Duluth, the second in the state at the time.
Dr. Aruther Laird, Nopeming’s superintendent, believed that they could help every patient in the country. However, they only had room for 100 patients when it opened..
In the first year of opening, Duluthians raised $10,000 for construction to start on a second building. Tuberculosis was still on the rise and two buildings weren't enough to combat it, resulting in some patients sleeping in tents.
By the late 1920s there were 30 buildings on the property and there was capacity for about 400 patients.
Since the opening of the sanatorium, the death toll started to drop. The year before it opened, 1911, the State Board of Health reported 220 deaths in St. Louis County. By 1920 it was 163.
However, Nopeming never promised their patients a cure. Patients that came through the sanatorium's doors were either out during the 30 day recovery or never left.
History tells us patients were treated well. The woods offered the isolation and fresh air they needed, and nurses provided balanced meals and care. However, there is no way to know what really happened inside the walls of the sanatorium.
A report was made July 6, 1937 regarding labor conditions at Nopeming. Employees claimed unfair labor practices and were criticized by labor union leaders in Duluth. Laird quickly shut down this claim, calling it “unreasonable.”
Nopeming treated tuberculosis patients until 1971. 4,000 patients were treated during that time.
Nopeming Nursing Home
By 1971, tuberculosis cases in America were mostly cured. Thus, the building was officially designated as a nursing home. They housed the aging community, many with Alzheimers or dementia.
St. Louis County was keeping an eye on Nopeming between 1990 and 2000 when the facility lost almost $3 million. The fight to keep patients walking through the doors began.
The building was not up to code and required $5 million to get there. Conditions worsened and St. Louis County had no option but to close the whole facility in 2002.
The sanatorium never functioned as a hopeful building, but as one where life takes its final breath. From 1912-2002, approximately 1,500 souls passed away inside Nopeming.
Paranormal Activity
Since the building's closing it gained traction from a paranormal audience. Orison Inc bought the property in 2009 and offered ghost tours to curious minds. They hope to eventually turn the property into an adult autism center or a women's shelter.
The paranormal activity at Nopeming cannot be entirely confirmed. However, there are still popular ghost stories surrounding Nopeming.
The most notorious story is that of a 9 year-old-girl. Some report hearing her giggle or riding her tricycle down the hallway.
The TV show, Ghost Adventures visited Nopeming in 2015 for their tenth season. The ghost tours quickly came to a halt in 2019 due to fire code violations.
History Shapes Reputation
There is no denying the suffering that Nopeming housed. The sanatorium served a meaningful purpose and helped many people, but was always a home for death.
During the1900s tuberculosis crisis, Nopeming was the only place many could get treated. When the crisis finally came to a close, Nopeming allowed many to live out their final years in the peaceful woods.
Nopeming, like many who walked inside, lost its vitality and is now considered an abandoned building.
The history behind Nopeming spirals curious minds without giving many answers. St. Louis Historical Records and Media Archives from Duluth’s Public library provide enough knowledge to know the crucial role Nopeming served in society.