The building that housed Gray’s Sanitarium was built by Robert Hamilton in 1852. The brick house sat high on the river bank with a view of the river from the rear portico. Hamilton was a furnace manager until his death in 1856. His home proved to be too expensive to keep unless it was owned by an Iron Master.
Dr. Clinton Godsey Gray bought Hamilton’s home in 1883. The new owner changed the building from a house to a sanitarium. The sanitarium remained in the building until Dr. Dan Feurt Gray, son of Dr. Clinton Godsey Gray, closed it. Dr. Dan Gray claimed the cost of keeping the building a sanitarium was just too expensive.
The house went through another change. It was rented out as a tea room and for other social gatherings. At this time the house was renamed Gray Gables.
After World War I, an Iron Master, Joseph C. Clutters, purchase the home. Clutters was originally from Wellston, Ohio. After only ten years of ownership, Clutters died.
The house was eventually torn down. At one time the grounds were leased by the Ironton Boat Club.