A few miles from the city of peoria, illinois at the bottom of a beautiful bluff overlooking the illinois river, are the remains of an old set of. Peoria state hospital museum, bartonville, illinois. The peoria state hospital is home to a handful of legends, and is often referred to as the old state hospital. While still in her teens, she was wooed by the son of a neighboring farmer. Books including zeller autobiographypublications and reports dr. Oct 16, 2014 even after axing several dubious stories, shults crammed all that she could into 223 pages that became fractured spirits. The hospital is located in bartonville, illinois, near the city of peoria in peoria county. Areas greatest ghost story came from peoria state hospital. Use her experience as a guide for pursuing state hospital records. With mere days left until this house of horrors is demolished, the team must work. Written in a narrative of gathered stories, rumors and innuendos, this nonfiction book relates to all the remaining building left on the grounds of the hospital a hot spot for paranormal activity. Most of the cottages have converted to private use or they were demolished. May 09, 2016 1963 the peoria state hospital opens its day hospital and introduces group therapy. By the early 1930s, norwich state hospital and connecticuts general hospital for the insane were filled to capacity with patients.
A collection of stories and incidents of the peoria state hospital, galesburg. Like peoria state hospital, manteno state hospital was originally laid out in a cottage plan, which meant the patients were housed in a series of separate buildings, rather than in one single institution. If you like, you can change the digest interval below. Eddy gave a speech at the ceremony, explaining fairfields superiority.
We are both members of the mental health historic preservation society of central illinois, a group that is striving to preserve the. The hospital for tb is still there, but is completely a haunted. While rumors of ghosts and ghost stories are highly speculative, the old book tale has been documented many times. Manuel bookbinder old book gravestone at peoria state hospital. Also known as bartonville state hospital or illinois asylum for the incurable insane, the peoria asylum operated as a psychiatric hospital from. Everyone has a story, but at the illinois asylum for the incurable insane, now known as the peoria state hospital, some stories were never heard. The ultimate result was an institution that would eventually become known as the peoria state hospital, 63 buildings and their grounds on a plot of land at the edge of the small town of bartonville, near peoria, illinois. The hospital grounds and its 63 buildings are listed as a historic district on the national. The hospitals most famous ghost was documented by dr. Jan 19, 20 this book hones in on the ghosts and spirits said to be haunting the peoria state hospital in bartonville illinois. This book hones in on the ghosts and spirits said to be haunting the peoria state hospital in bartonville illinois. Hauntings at the peoria state hospital, released in february 20. Lauren finkler everyone has a story, but at the illinois asylum for the incurable insane, now known as the peoria state hospital, some stories were never heard. Peoria state hospital, galesburg mental health center, and george a.
On june 10, 1931, the cornerstone of fairfield state hospital was laid in newtown, connecticut. Dec 10, 2017 you have subscribed to alerts for sylvia shults you will receive an email alert if one or more of the authors youre following has a new release. Pennhurst state school and hospital case, the first of its kind in the nation, ultimately led to the closure of the hospital. Peoria state hospital historic district, also known as bartonville state hospital or illinois asylum for the incurable insane, was a psychiatric hospital operated by the state of illinois from 1902 to 1973. At the turn of the century, the peoria state hospital was opened in 1902 as the illinois asylum for the incurable insane. Special event, childrens event childrens, games, mystery saturday february 29, 2020 2. A followup to this post was published on thursday, july 26, 2012, with the title help in accessing closed records of illinois state mental hospitals. Peoria state hospital hauntings ghostly activities.
Ghost hunting groups, sensitives, former nurses, and ordinary people share their stories with us, their voices resonating to create a panoramic view to rival the vista of the illinois river. While this was an interesting building from years ago, it was torn down about two years ago. Bittersweet memories is a collaboration by two individuals, myself andarlene parr. Sep 18, 2017 by the early 1930s, norwich state hospital and connecticuts general hospital for the insane were filled to capacity with patients. Zeller, in 1907, the term incurable was dropped from the name and the institution became known as the illinois general hospital for the insane.
A patient who never uttered a word was tranferred to bartonville. Old book is the name given to a purported ghost or spirit that haunts a cemetery and tree on the grounds of the peoria state hospital in bartonville, illinois. The twc are the last people to explore the horrific peoria state hospital, where more than 10,000 people died. Peoria state hospital was in operation from 1902 to 1973. As she notes, every persons situation is different. Hauntings at the peoria state hospital during the first half of the twentieth century, the peoria state hospital was the premiere mental health facility of its day. The only documented record of old book at the asylum resides in a 1905 supervisors journal according to gary lismans book, bittersweet memories. He led the grave digging and mourning duties for the hospital with a team of 6 nonviolent patients. A few miles from the city of peoria, illinois at the bottom of a beautiful bluff overlooking the illinois river, are the remains of an old set of stairs. The institution began life as the illinois asylum for the incurable insane. Taken at peoria state hospital in bartonville, il, this photo appears to show a ghostly figure standing at the end of the hall. Published by the patients and employees of the peoria state hospital. Get ghost hunting tips and haunting details for peoria state hospital in. The legend of old book mightve long ago faded into the backstory of peoria state hospital in bartonville, if not for dr.
Jul 26, 2017 in 1895, the illinois general assembly passed a provision to establish the ominouslynamed illinois asylum for the incurable insane. The archives advises that case files were not required to be retained until the early 1980s, so there are likely losses. Hauntings at the peoria state hospital, returns to the hilltop to tell the story of rhodas life, and her. The legend of old book mightve long ago faded into the backstory of peoria state hospital in. The key player in the areas greatest ghost story isnt a character in the tale, but the author. Written in a narrative of gathered stories, rumors. Written in a narrative of gathered stories, rumors and innuendos, this nonfiction book relates to all the remaining building left on the grounds of the hospital. Also known as bartonville state hospital or illinois asylum for the incurable insane, the peoria asylum operated as a psychiatric hospital from 1902 to 1973 and housed 2,800 patients at its peak. Peoria state hospital during its glory days in the 1920s. Its ruins are located west of peoria in the small town of bartonville, which lies directly across the illinois river. The strange haunting of peoria state hospital the lineup. The asylum has a total of 47 buildings on its grounds. But instead of the ghosts being traumatized, theyre grateful they were taken.
By default you will receive a daily digest containing any books that were published by authors in your subscription list. Zeller mental health center james sheridan ward mental health historic preservation society of central illinois, 2004 mental illness 298 pages. Peoria state hospital bartonville, illinois atlas obscura. From 1907 to 1909 the facility was known as the illinois general hospital for the insane and, in 1909, peoria state hospital. The peoria state hospital isnt without its ghost stories, since many patients ended up spending their life and dying in the hospital and many died during the influenza outbreak. Patients suffered and the hospital workers tried their best. Peoria state hospital bartonville, illinois hospital. In 1895, the illinois general assembly passed a provision to establish the ominouslynamed illinois asylum for the incurable insane.
Nov 01, 2012 peoria state hospital which has also operated under the names bartonville state hospital, peoria asylum, the illinois general hospital for the insane, and the illinois asylum for the incurable insane opened as an insane asylum operated by the state of illinois from 1902 until 1973. The iconic bowen building remains at the corner of w pfeiffer road and enterprise drive in bartonville, illinois. Troy taylor popularized this location via several books including haunted illinois 1999. To learn more about accessing mental health records, please read this followup after reading the post below. See more ideas about asylum, insane asylum and peoria illinois. Offering insight to the social issues surrounding longterm mental illness and treatment, the film looks at the intimate history of the old peoria state hospital abandoned in bartonville, illinois. Urban legend says the tunnel found this purpose when the hospital death rate peaked the stories say one person was dying at the facility every hour, but thankfully the real rate was much lower than that an average of 104 deaths per year, peaking at 152 deaths per year around the end of the second world war. Smashwords tales from the asylum a book by sylvia shults. He was a new breed surgeon that believed the incurables and the hospital was originally known as the illinois asylum for the incurable insane would do better when treated with kindness than restriction one of the prime examples is the case of roda. It answers many of the questions we have received via comments. Even after axing several dubious stories, shults crammed all that she could into 223 pages that became fractured spirits.
George zeller and his attempts to change the way mentally ill. Morelli for sharing her successful court case and helping others, now and in the future. Peoria state hospital never sent any records from bartonville. Apr 18, 2016 the twc are the last people to explore the horrific peoria state hospital, where more than 10,000 people died. Dorothy and peoria county genealogical society estate index of peoria county il. Records of state mental hospitals at the illinois state. Before the hospital even opened its doors in 1902, it had already faced unusual challenges. From bartonville state hospital to bradley university, historic downtown theaters, hotels and taverns, and local churches, where ghostly congregants and ministers continue to worship, this book presents these ghost stories and legends for the fi rst time together in print. George zeller and his attempts to change the way mentally ill patients were managed medically and emotionally.
Rhoda died in 1906, but her spirit seems to live on sylvia shults, author of fractured spirits. The peoria asylum is home to one of the most famous ghosts of the world. George zeller came to peoria in 1902 and he had the bars removed from the windows and the mechanical restraints taken off the beds. George zeller instituted the eighthour workday for his staff, removed patient restraints, and made the asylum into a model for the care of the mentally ill.
Peoria asylum bartonville 2020 all you need to know. See more ideas about peoria illinois, abandoned asylums and paranormal photos. The peoria state hospital museum page is a historical resource page with accurate information of the famous. To get answers to individual questions, contact a librarian. Below is the history of rhoda derry taken from the book bittersweet memories. Rhoda derry bartonville state hospital 2 below is the.
Im lucky enough to live within ten minutes of one of the most haunted places in illinois the peoria state hospital. Zeller era and beyond, peoria state hospital, galesburg mental health center, and george a. Theres only one confirmed spirit active at peoria state hospital. She was transferred to the peoria state hospital in bartonville, illinois, where she spent the remainder of her days in peace and comfort. They claim to have seen apparitions of patients and nurses, and heard voices over longdefunct intercoms. In 1909 the name was changed to the peoria state hospital, but locals also called the asylum the bartonville state hospital. Jan 23, 2018 the peoria state hospital for the incurable insane, along with many other similar institutions, closed during the 1970s. Peoria state hospital which has also operated under the names bartonville state hospital, peoria asylum, the illinois general hospital for the insane, and the illinois asylum for the incurable insane opened as an insane asylum operated by the state of illinois from 1902 until 1973. A collection of stories and incidents of the peoria state hospital, galesburg mental health center and the george a. Oct 16, 2014 the key player in the areas greatest ghost story isnt a character in the tale, but the author. A history of the peoria state hospital rhoda derry was born in adams county.
The book will be a history of the facility, hopefully, it will be more than just a history of dates and events. It is the purpose of this book to personalize the peoria state hospital through the use of personal memories of the patients and staff. Manuel bookbinder, or old book, haunts the graveyard, not far from a large elm tree. Manteno state hospital, one of two former mental health facilities in kankakee county, illinois, opened its doors in the early 1930s. It began when a patient visited her family and was found to have unexplained bruises on her body it resulted in the courts conclusion that pennhursts conditions were unsanitary, inhumane, and.
It was quickly taken over by curiosity seekers and vandals alike. Index to peoria county probate case files, 18251887. She was the daughter of a wealthy farmer and she was a strikingly handsome girl. South side of peoria, illinois april 2012 duration. I think that the book did a good job of telling the big picture about dr. Author and paranormal investigator sylvia shults has written several books on the spirits of the peoria state hospital in illinois and her latest work, fractured souls, talks about the history of the sanitarium and the ghost experiences that people have had there. Since the hospitals closure, many visitors have come back with strange stories. Zeller and his humane treatment was a model copied by many other hospitals in illinois and nationwide. Among those documenting the tale is the first director of the state insane asylum, george zeller. Zeller mental health center, by james sheridan ward. Not much remains of central illinois peoria state hospital, especially after the largest structure, called the bowen building, was controversially demolished in 2017. It took several years after the purchase of the property in 1927 for the sprawling mental hospital to be completed. The book is thorough and tells some good stories of the history of an amazing illinois landmark the peoria state hospital.
So if you like true ghost stories, please scope out my books. Rhoda derry bartonville state hospital 2 below is the hist. Peoria county, illinois genealogy familysearch wiki. So thats where i spend a lot of my ghost hunting time. I graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree from illinois state university in 1995, and am currently writing my masters thesis on the peoria state hospital.
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