It
is that time of year again; time for our annual Haunted Series where we've explored
things that go bump in the cemetery, the restaurant, the town … and this year
the asylum! Join me each Friday in October as we cast an eye upon those
buildings that were feared by the residents and avoided by the living: those Haunted
Asylums.
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| Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane |
Construction
for the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane began in 1895 in Bartonville,
but it was seven years before the facility, built in the “cottage-style” with 7
buildings, would open its doors to the first 100 residents on February 10, 190.
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| Dr. George Zeller |
Patients
who were characterized as being “incurably insane” were transferred from other
hospitals, almshouses, and institutions around the state to Illinois’ newest
facility. The asylum was quickly placed under the direction of Dr. George
Zeller by the autumn of 1902.
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| Dr. Zeller Researching |
Dr.
Zeller was a new breed of asylum doctors; he believed in a humane approach in
dealing with the mentally ill. Zeller also thought that the public needed to
understand the mentally ill, so he held meetings and invited local newspapers
and community members to visit the hospital.
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| Wrist Restraint |
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| Cemetery on Hospital Grounds |
Color
therapy and light therapy were both first introduced during the early years of
the hospital. In 1905, Dr. Zeller ordered all bars and mechanical restraints
removed from the buildings. He also arranged for burial grounds to be set aside
on the property for those patients who had no relatives. The site eventually
grew to include four cemeteries where over 4,100 patients were interred.
Thanks
to Dr. Zeller, in 1907, the term “incurable” was dropped from the name and the
institution became known as the Illinois General Hospital for the Insane. In
1909 the name was changed to the Peoria State Hospital, but locals also called
the asylum the Bartonville State Hospital.
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| Dr. Zeller with Colleagues |
Dr.
Zeller remained with the facility until 1913 when he accepted a position as a
state “alienist.” (psychiatrist) But by 1921, Zeller was back on board as
Superintendent, He found such neglect and ill treatment that he checked himself
in as a patient for three days, living on a different ward each day. At the
end of his experiment, he ordered all staff to spend 8 hours being treated as
an inmate.
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| Patients Lining Porches |
In
1927, the hospital celebrated its 25th Anniversary. More than 13,500
patients had come through the asylum’s doors. The current population was listed
at 2,650 residents.
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| Dr. Zeller |
In
1935, Dr. Zeller stepped down as Superintendent but he continued to live on the
grounds in the Bowen (administration) Building. He died there on June 29, 1938.
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| Electro Shock Therapy |
Soon
after his death, The Peoria Hospital took a turn for the worse. Insulin Shock
Therapy was introduced, lobotomies were performed, and Electro Convulsive Therapy
began to be used. The days of kindness and understanding were over.
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| Patients at Peoria State Hospital |
The
1950’s were peak years at PSH with over 2,800 patients residing here, but several patients were killed or died of mysterious circumstances during this
time. At one time over 40 buildings were located on the property.
By
1972 only 600 patients were living here and the imminent closure of the
facility was announced. The Peoria State Hospital closed in 1973.
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| Abandoned Building |
The
buildings remained empty after the hospital’s closure. Plans were made but
development ideas were never successful. Over time, many of the buildings were
demolished, others renovated as the community tried to find uses the buildings.
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| Peoria State Hospital |
But
even though the buildings appeared to be empty, many say that spirits still
reside here. There are four cemeteries located on the property and all are said
to be haunted.
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| The Bereft |
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| An Old Elm |
Dr.
Zeller wrote a book in the 1920s called “The Bereft”
about his experiences at the hospital. In it he also documented his paranormal experiences at the facility. One
of the first unexplainable incidents that occurred at the hospital, which
Zeller witnessed, along with hundreds of other patients and staff, involved a mute
patient known as Manuel A. Bookbinder. “Old Book” worked with the burial crew
at the facility. After each funeral service, as the body was being lowered into the
grave, Old Book would remove his cap, lean against an elm tree and sob. No one
knew why.
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| Plaque to Manuel Bookbinder |
In
1910, Old Book died and Dr. Zeller along with hundreds of patients and staff
attended his funeral at the cemetery. But as the service was being conducted, the
sight of Old Book, leaning against the old elm tree, crying, caught everyone’s
attention. The funeral was stopped and the casket opened to find the body of
Old Book lying peacefully in his coffin. The apparition had vanished and no one
could logically explain what had just happened.
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| Mist at Peoria State Hospital |
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| Empty Hallway |
Other
apparitions have been seen wandering along hospital corridors, shadows flit
about the abandoned rooms, sobs and whispers can be heard throughout the
remaining buildings along with footsteps.
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| Abandoned Hospital |
Although
Peoria State Hospital might be considered “mild” in comparison to other haunted
hospitals, it was voted “Scariest Insane
Asylum” in 2012 by Ghostly
World visitors, and has been featured on the television show, “Ghost Hunters.”
Today,
a group known as “Save the Bowen”
owns the asylum. The group is seeking assistance, including financial and
volunteers, to save the historical administration building. Find out more at Peoria Asylum.
Next
week, we’ll travel north to another insane asylum that has tunnels brimming
with paranormal sightings and discover “what
lies beneath” …
~
Joy
