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Etching of overhead view of Gravely building
An etching of the Gravely Building that appeared in the dedication program from 1953.

Origin of the Gravely Building

The state of North Carolina built Gravely Sanatorium in Chapel Hill, which opened in 1953, to provide treatment for people facing a then-leading cause of death: tuberculosis. TB was such a problem in North Carolina that many young men were rejected for service in WWII because of it. More than 3,000 new case were discovered every year by the 1950s.

“I have tried through the years to help provide facilities for the care and cure of those who suffer from tuberculosis and the great pleasure I get out of seeing the new buildings go up and the new beds provided is in the knowledge that in days and years to come many of my fellow men will be given a better chance of life, a better chance to get well because of them.” – L. Lee Gravely, Sr.

Adapting to new needs

Over time, fewer TB cases allowed the building space to be used for other medical needs. Gravely Sanatorium’s ultimate use for more than two decades was as a treatment facility for another leading cause of death: cancer.

“My best memory of Gravely is that of entering a fortress and haven where our ‘community of cancer care’ existed for brief moments, days and for some years in time. This community was not isolated to the patients experiencing their diagnosis but included the families, caregivers, physicians, nurses, clerks, and volunteers. Though of brick and mortar, the heart and soul of Gravely gave us support, compassion, knowledge, and strength to continue to grow to where we are today.” – Pat Decator, RN, oncology nurse

Demolition of the Gravely building, with the N.C. Cancer hospital building in the background
Photo taken on March 15, 2010 of the Gravely Building demolition with the N.C. Cancer Hospital in the background.

Moving forward

Construction of the N.C. Cancer Hospital completed in August 2009, becoming the new clinical home for UNC Lineberger and replacing the Gravely Building as the cancer treatment center.

The Gravely Building was demolished over the course of the first few months of 2010. The space where Gravely stood is now part of the courtyard garden and labyrinth that is a feature of the UNC Health medical campus.

Learn More about the Gravely Building

Watch Movies and View Photos of the Gravely Demolition