Sauerkraut Cave, located in E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park in Louisville, is rumored to be haunted due to its disturbing history as a part of the former Lakeland Asylum for the Insane. The cave's ghostly reputation stems from the reports of patient abuse and mysterious deaths that occurred at the asylum. From the 1880s to the 1970s, the cave was part of the grounds for the Central Kentucky Asylum for the Insane, later known as Lakeland Asylum. While the asylum itself was demolished, the cave is one of the few original structures that remains. In addition to using the cave to store sauerkraut and other provisions, local legends allege it was the site of much darker activities. Tales of inmates' bodies being buried within the cave's depths and pregnant patients being taken there are often told. The asylum was known to be severely overcrowded and had a long history of neglecting and abusing patients. The suffering of these patients is often cited as the source of the paranormal activity. Visitors to Sauerkraut Cave and the surrounding park have reported several types of paranormal phenomena: Sightings of ghostly figures, including a man with a burly beard, have been reported. People have claimed to hear strange, disembodied voices or other noises emanating from within the cavern. Some visitors have reported a malicious, angry presence and an intense feeling of being watched by unseen entities. Paranormal investigators have described the cave as a "sad place," believing that spirits are trapped there. While the cave used to be a destination for explorers and paranormal tours, access has since been restricted. The narrow, muddy, and unstable conditions inside are considered dangerous, and park officials have closed the cave to the public for safety reasons.