Ever wonder what became of the buildings on old vintage postcards? Are you curious to know if they still stand? In my previous blog post, I showed two hotels; The Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, MO and The Durant Hotel in Fling, MI – Hotel Old Vintage Postcards – Then and Now . I continue my series of blog posts on “then and now” old buildings pictured on vintage postcards with the below sanitarium also known as Hell House.
Mudcura Sanitarium, Shakopee, MN Then…
Vintage postcard of Mudcura Sanitarium, Shakopee, MN, postmarked 1939
This building had originally been a sanitarium for rheumatoid arthritics in the early 1900’s. People took mud baths in mud from the nearby sulfur springs in hopes of relief from pain. When this went out of style, it became a monastery.
Mudcura Sanitarium, Shakopee, MN 1997…
Mudcura Sanitarium in 1997 after arson fire
Prior to this suspicious fire in 1997, it still looked very depressing (inside and out). Yes, the floors were unsafe and there was a hole in the roof from a previous fire, but I don’t believe it would’ve been considered a complete tear down.
As for the Hell House designation… At some point after the building was abandoned, someone had painted “hell house” across the top of the front. Kind of fits as the building does look creepy.
Be sure to stop back on August 12th, when I share a curious postcard message.
Remember When Postcards Blog 