Old Nopeming Sanatorium site plans to update for new community spaces.

Nopeming is an Ojibwe word that means “in the forest.” Photographer Joe Polecheck said what surprised him most about the location was the ammount of decay, given the fact Nopeming closed in 2002. Photo by Joe Polecheck.

Ever since its original construction in 1912 to house and care Duluth residents diagnosed with tuberculosis, the Nopeming Sanatorium has gone through many changes in both structure and tenants. Now, under new ownership, it seems the old hospital located on Nopeming Road in south Duluth will be going through yet another change in the next few years.

Nopeming is now privately owned by Orison Inc., a non-profit property management group, according to their website. Orison Inc. has owned the site since 2009 and has been working steadily to improve the property in order to keep it safe.

According to Tanya Graysmark, Nopeming project director, the plan is to reopen Nopeming to the public complete with a museum depicting the history of the property and a gift shop. They also have a lot of ideas for the repurposing.

“We’re thinking shelter for women, housing for disabled, a veteran community building, foster care, a nursing home, or elderly care,” Graysmark said. “The building will be repurposed when it is ready, which may take three years, or it may take eight years.”

Graysmark said that the first phase of the renovation will cost approximately $400,000.

“We currently have funds for final roof repairs, windows, doors and ongoing small repairs and fixes,” Graysmark said. “We will raise money for water and plumbing once we have the city on board for the waterline.”

Graysmark said they hope to open whatever Duluth needs at the time of the renovation’s completion.

Nopeming is considered one of the most haunted locations in Duluth according to Graysmark, and one of the most unique, according to Polecheck. Photo by Joe Polecheck.

Given the long history of the site, and the amount of people who died there, Nopeming is believed by many to be haunted. The location was even featured on travel channel’s Ghost Adventures.

Janet Jacobs started working as a nursing assistant at Nopeming in 1979 when she was only 17 years old. After the Nopeming nursing home closed due to county budget cuts in 2002, she continued practicing at the Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Jacobs said she loved Nopeming.

“I grew up there,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs worked at Nopeming while it was a nursing home and said she had experienced a couple of spiritual encounters, but none of them really bothered her.

One notable spiritual event occurred when numerous residents heard or saw children when none were present, according to Jacobs.

“When it was a tuberculosis asylum, there used to be a children’s ward,” Jacobs said. “One time a woman said kids were under her bed. I thought maybe it was dementia and played along telling the kids to leave. Twenty minutes later a man in the next room complained about kids running down the hall.”

A hallway in Nopeming. Photo by Joe Polecheck.

According to Graysmark, the site does have a lot of spiritual activity. To raise money for future plans, Nopeming gives tours May through October allowing spirit seekers to experience things for themselves.

“I haven’t seen any spirits, but I have had a few mediums on tours who’ve sensed a spiritual presence,” Graysmark said. “Our investigation class, late night teams who learn how to ghost hunt, have heard child voices and had their ghost sensors go off in certain parts of the building.”

Even though the place is believed to be haunted, Graysmark still strives to update the location for community use saying the money raised from the tours will be put into the location’s renovation.

Nopeming gives guided tours May through October, allowing ghost hunters, photographers and historians alike to explore the facility. Photographer Joe Polecheck said the basement was the worst spot in Nopeming that he had explored. Polecheck said the basement was all boarded up and called the layout odd. Photo by Joe Polecheck.

Jacobs said she was pleased with the idea of opening Nopeming back up as a community center for Duluth.

“I think that’ll be a wonderful idea,” Jacobs said. “It’s in the wood. It’s a beautiful spot.”

Graysmark said Nopeming has fallen prey to numerous trespassers and vandals over the years. In an effort to prevent this, they have hired live-in caretakers, boosted security, and asked neighbors to keep watch as well.

“Local police do drive-bys and are on call to catch anyone who enters the property, this includes the land,” Graysmark said. “We also have two guard dogs that are inside and outside the building.”

Graysmark said the vandalism that usually occurs is property damage, such as broken windows and doors. Some property has been stolen as well.

Visit the Nopeming website for more information on tours and how you could help with the renovation.