April 2nd, 2008
More Kirkbride Buildings
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been adding pages for Kirkbride buildings that no longer exist. If you go to the main buildings page and scroll down to the demolished Kirkbride list, you’ll see that some locations are now linked to pages for a particular asylum. So far I’ve added content for Columbus State Hospital (OH), Elgin State Hospital (IL), Mount Pleasant State Hospital (IA), Jackson State Hospital (MS), Nevada State Hospital (MO), and Rochester State Hospital (MN). I also put up a page for Saint Joseph State Hospital (MO) since what’s left of the building is now part of an active prison and I’m not likely to get photos of the place.
As part of my plan to expand the site, it only seems natural to add more images and information on the buildings that are only a memory. I’m trying to add a good amount of history and images for each location, but it’s a little difficult since it’s impossible to visit the buildings in person.
In addition to historical images from my own collection, I’ve been using old photos and drawings sent to me (or posted on the forum) by other historic asylum enthusiasts. I have to give credit to Karen Bourdelais (owner of what may be the biggest collection of asylum images in the country), Taylor/WSH from the asylums forum, and Ted, a mental health history buff from Pennsylvania.
I also have to credit Ted for informing me that the Kirkbride building in Meridian, Mississippi underwent some drastic renovations in the 1950s. For all intents and purposes, it isn’t really a Kirkbride anymore. Parts of the wings were torn down and what remained was thoroughly modernized. It looks like a completely different building. You can see photos of the transformed structure here and here (left, middle). So unfortunately, I think we’ll have to consider Meridian gone. I’ve moved it to the demolished list.
I’ll be adding more buildings pages in the future, and will try to fill out the history of the ones already there as time goes on.
I found your site by accident and will read more, in the day light, because being at the NO. 2 makes it hard to visit the memories of my past at night. If you would like some information on what is was like to be in there let me know since you can not visit. It was truly a place that my mind wants to forget, but would like to help you in your cause if you want.
Hi, I have several early 1900 postcards featuring Napa State Hospital for the Insane, which was a Kirkbride building. If you would like copies i will dig them out and e mail you copies. They are postcards sent to lena (see my blog). Chris
Chris, regardless of what they were used all of these structures should have been saved and could have been used for other facilities or even apartment homes.