Zellers plan for the bartonville hospital was to allow patients who. The peoria state hospital for the incurable insane, along with many other similar institutions, closed during the 1970s. There were cracks showing up in the walls and the building was not safe. Peoria state hospital bartonville, illinois hospital. George zeller who operated it as a hospital facility. All photos below are thumbnails click for them to open in own window. Peoria state hospital bartonville asylum bartonville. When taking photographs of old buildings i like to take views from all sides and angles and am placing them here for your viewing pleasure. Haunted infirmary at the bartonville insane asylum. Discover peoria state hospital in bartonville, illinois. Opened in 1874, this four story, redbrick building was originally known as the athens asylum for the insane. I say this because of the progressive medicine that dr.
Zeller, went before the state legislature to demand a. Oct 07, 2017 located west of peoria in the small town of bartonville, the illinois asylum for the incurable insane was originally built in 1897 in the style of a medieval castle, but was never used. Upon completion the hospital resembled a medieval castle with battlements and turrets. Open every friday and saturday night in october 7 p. Please consult government travel advisories before. Like many asylums of the era, the bartonville institution housed not just the. Among those documenting the tale is the first director of the state insane asylum, george zeller. I would like to thank the pollak hospital staff and volunteers who put this event together, it was really a remarkable experience. George zeller orders that all bars and mechanical restraints to be removed from all the buildings. Bookbinder and where you can find him, if youre brave enough to try.
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. 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. Patients were admitted in troubled mental states, and many were incapable of providing a name. The key player in the areas greatest ghost story isnt a character in the tale, but the author. The hospital was founded as a result of the illinois general assemblys provision for the establishment of the illinois asylum. In all, doctors performed 94 lobotomies on the most insane people. Unlike most of the other asylums weve covered, the asylums director, dr. The legend of old book mightve long ago faded into the backstory of peoria state hospital in. Jan 08, 2011 the central illinois ghost legend of a. Haunted infirmary at bartonville insane asylum home. Theres only one confirmed spirit active at peoria state hospital. Construction on the bartonville state hospital began in 1885, and the main structurean enormous building most closely resembling a medieval castlewas completed in 1887. Manuel bookbinder old book gravestone at peoria state hospital.
Peoria state hospital hauntings ghostly activities. Peoria asylum bartonville 2020 all you need to know. Zeller was known for, and quite simply human kindness, which was something that you normally did not find in an insane asylum in the beginning of the 1900s. Legend says the building was constructed on top of an abandoned coal mine that compromised the integrity of the building. The new hospital implemented the cottage system and 33 different buildings were used to house patients. It was quickly taken over by curiosity seekers and vandals alike. 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 peoria state hospital for the incurable insane, along with many. This is a classic location for ghosts due to the practices. The story of old book is unlike any you have ever heard.
The institution began life as the illinois asylum for the incurable insane. Cook county insane asylum former chicago, illinois. This tragedy spawned a diaspora of ghost stories as the modern city of. Oct 31, 2012 when book first came to the asylum in 1902, he was a mute and was said to have worked in a printing house as a manual bookbinder. In 1902, the bartonville insane asylum was reopened by dr. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. To view a photo online of the asylum click on the link below. The hospital opened in 1902 and was originally called the illinois asylum for the incurable insane before being renamed in 1909. 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 cottagestyle with 7 buildings, would open its doors to the first 100 residents on february 10, 190. Top 10 most haunted hospitals in illinois mysterious. The man was completely mute so no one knew his real name. The following photographs i took after visiting the cemetery which is across the road and east of this building. Please consult government travel advisories before booking.
Zeller assigned bookbinder to the hospitals burial corps, and he performed his job admirably. Bartonville insane asylum by abigail gentry on prezi. The bartonville insane asylum near peoria, illinois. George zeller opens the training school for nurses. The most violent patients were housed near the outer tips of the wings. Areas greatest ghost story came from peoria state hospital. The building was never used, apparently due to the structural damage caused when the abandoned mine shafts it was built over collapsed. Jan 23, 2018 the peoria state hospital for the incurable insane, along with many other similar institutions, closed during the 1970s.
Haunted infirmary at bartonville insane asylum, bartonville, illinois. Haunted asylums peoria state hosptial in bartonville, illinois. Apparently, the man had suffered a breakdown while working in a printing house. Zeller also realized that a system was needed for the burial of the dead at the hospital. The asylum has a total of 47 buildings on its grounds. Peoria state hospital, bartonville state hospital, illinois general asylum for the insane, and illinois asylum for the incurably insane. I really hope you have all enjoyed it as much as i have. The hospital is located in bartonville, illinois, near the city of peoria in peoria county. Rob conover is a pekin ghost researcher who has long been interested in the strange goingson at the old asylum.
Oct 18, 2015 theres only one confirmed spirit active at peoria state hospital. Peoria state hospital bartonville, illinois atlas obscura. The only information the doctors had was that he used to be a bookbinder, so he was known throughout the hospital. Oct 03, 2014 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 cottagestyle with 7 buildings, would open its doors to the first 100 residents on february 10, 190. Bartonville insane asylum was originally built in the mid 1880s. The first buildings of the bartonville insane asylum began in 1885 and were completed in 1887. See more ideas about abandoned asylums, asylum and insane asylum.
This tragedy spawned a diaspora of ghost stories as the modern city of chicago spread around it and, eventually, over the site itself. Completely mute, the man could not tell anyone is name. Bartonville state 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. Legend says the building was constructed on top of an abandoned coal mine. It has one famous legend of the man known only as bookbinder. The asylum, actually located in bartonville, housed those who were. Top 10 most haunted hospitals in illinois mysterious heartland. Apr 06, 2010 it has had many names over the past 115 years. Because his occupation was listed as a bookbinder, he became known as a. While rumors of ghosts and ghost stories are highly speculative, the old book tale has been documented many times. The psychiatric hospital was rebuilt in 1902 under the direction of dr. Of all of the gravediggers, the most unusual man, according to dr. Posted in uncategorized with tags bartonville, bowen building, haunted tours, insane asylum, peoria, peoria state hospital on april 6, 2010 by hauntedgirl it has had many names over the past 115 years. See more ideas about asylum, insane asylum and peoria illinois.
Believe to have worked as a bookbinder in the chicago area, the man was brought to bartonville insane asylum after suffering a nervous breakdown. Photos i, foxie, took of the building that is left of the asylum. May 09, 2016 the bowen building and the peoria state hospital museum are owned and operated by two separate groups who have nothing to do with one another. My grandmother was in bartonville in the 1960s when it was a nursing home, she passed away there, i visited her there once, she was hallucinating some fun, funny stuff, she told me that she had been in a parade the day beforeshe was bedridden and how she was wearing a large sombreo hat, having a fun time. The bowen building and the peoria state hospital museum are owned and operated by two separate groups who have nothing to do with one another. In a cemetery in bartonville, illinois, there is a grave marked 7. A edition bartonville insane asylum, peoria illinois. Manual bookbinder is finally brought to life through the eyes of dr. Last building of the insane asylum, bartonville,peoria co.
The reason for the demolition was given as structural and design flaws. The haunted infirmary come see what spills out of the. 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. Back then, most deceased patients bodies went unclaimed by their families. From 19021973 this was the place of a mental hospital, which now continues to stand vacant. So, based on his prior occupation, the asylum dubbed him a. My grandmother was in bartonville in the 1960s when it was a nursing home, she passed away there, i visited her there once. Apparently, the man had suffered a breakdown while working in a printing house, possibly in chicago, and his mental illness had left him incapable of coherent speech. It was first built in 1895 in bartonville, il but was never used until 1902 when it was taken over by dr. Despite the huge costs involved in building it, it was never used and was torn down in 1897. The reason why it was not used in the beginning is that it was built on top of an abandoned coal mine.
Haunted infirmary at bartonville insane asylum facebook. There were two wings, one for male patients and one for female. Haunted asylums peoria state hosptial in bartonville. Oct 17, 2019 the hospital opened in 1902 and was originally called the illinois asylum for the incurable insane before being renamed in 1909.
Manuel bookbinder, or old book, haunts the graveyard, not far from a large elm tree. Bartonville insane asylum we have reached the conclusion of this video. Its ruins are located west of peoria in the small town of bartonville. Apparently bartonville state hospital was a nice place to visit and quite a few souls decided to stay. The bartonville insane asylum is now under new ownership and is being open for tours to the public. Bartonville state hospital, also known as peoria state hospital or illinois hospital for the incurable insane was originally built in 1897 but the original building was never occupied because of structural problems. The only documented record of old book at the asylum resides in a 1905 supervisors journal according to gary lismans book, bittersweet memories. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures.
By the early 1900s, ridges asylum was alarmingly overcrowded. He led the grave digging and mourning duties for the hospital with a team of 6 nonviolent patients. In addition to the amateur ghost enthusiasts, the bartonville hospital is fascinating enough to draw the interest of professional ghost hunters too. Bartonville insane asylum bartonville state hospital, also known as peoria state hospital or illinois hospital for the incurable insane was originally built in 1897 but the original building was never occupied because of structural problems. It served as part of the asylum for a number of decades. One day, he was no longer able to speak coherently and was deemed insane. Hunters in 20 and destination americas ghost asylum in 2016. January 20th, 1886 a group of women from the peoria womens club started lobbying for the creation of an asylum for the mentally ill who were locked away in prison. Like many poor farms and mental hospitals in illinois, the cook county poor farm and the asylum built upon it had a tragic history. Because his occupation was listed as a bookbinder, he became known as. Peoria state hospital was in operation from 1902 to 1973. The hospital grounds and its 63 buildings are listed as a historic district on the national.
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