Tuberculosis.  A deadly and infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium that commonly attacks the lungs and nervous system. Many people with tuberculosis eventually had hard time breathing due to the disease and the heavy soot in the air of our cities. Tuberculosis, for a long time, was controlled by medication and treatment.  It was decided the fresh, clean air of the county would help the patients. So just after the turn of the century, hospitals began popping up all over Long Island.
In 1913, on the old 60 acre Overton farm was built the “Medford Tuberculosis Sanatorium for Working Men and Women.” The Brooklyn Central Labor Union bought the tract of land that the sanatorium was built on. The hospital was built in secret. “Because of the fear by Long Islanders the greatest secrecy was observed in preparing the buildings and grounds.”  The hospital became more of a home to children with pulmonary Tuberculosis. It only operated for 20years. In the late 1930's, it was abandoned and now the only evidence of it are the foundation ruins.

Bygone Long Island continues its search for information on The Medford Sanatorium.