The History and Hauntings of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, which was built during the years of 1858-1881, is not only the largest masonry building in North America constructed of hand-cut stones, it is also reported to be one of the most haunted places throughout the entire world. Since the initiation of the construction efforts on this immense structure, many strange and unusual events have transpired – many involving the staff and residents of the facility and others seemingly involving something more dark and sinister. Throughout this guide, you will be introduced to the comprehensive history and the haunted stories surrounding the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (also known as the Weston State Hospital). If you have a passion for the paranormal and a high level of appreciation for history, continue reading to learn about the mystery and mayhem that surrounds this once immensely popular home for the maniacal.

The Dilemma of the Deranged and Demented

In the earliest days of our history, those that displayed unusual, bizarre, and socially deemed “abnormal” behaviors were believed to be possessed by demons and other types of malevolent entities. Many were accused of being witches. In the days of antiquity, many believed that the deranged and demented were given their mental disorders from the gods. Mental illness has been stigmatized and misunderstood for hundreds of years. As a result of these misunderstandings and labels, the people of Colonial America often treated the deranged and demented in extremely barbaric ways.

Originally, Individuals that were identified as being insane were placed into prisons. It was not at all uncommon to find those suffering from mental illnesses to be stripped of their clothing and chained to walls – even in the worse of weather conditions. As a result of being abandoned and forced to live like an animal, it was commonplace to find such people covered in debris and filth. Families that took on the responsibility of those with mental illnesses often hid them away in harsh, cruel environments. It was common belief that the deranged and demented should be extricated from society. In the 1770s, facilities started to emerge that provided housing to the mentally ill; however, these facilities did not focus on helping the sufferer. At that time, insanity was considered to be an incurable condition.

Time for a Change

By the time that the 1800s arrived, the lives of those that were considered to be legally insane were detrimentally impacted by societal beliefs and standards regarding mental illness. The situation was dire. Certain individuals were sympathetic to the deranged and demented and called attention to their barbaric treatment in order to urge society, as a whole, to support better treatments for those people. These individuals worked diligently to convince the lawmakers of the time that they should dedicate their time, money, and other resources to ensuring that the deranged and demented were provided with humane care and treatment. Two individuals, in particular, that had a strong role in encouraging better care for the insane were Dorothea Dix and Thomas Kirkbride.

Dorothea Dix

Dorothea Dix was considered to be a highly passionate individual when it came to the care and consideration of others. She was a nurse and a teacher; however, in her later years, she was identified as being a social reformer. She committed herself and her time to improving how the mentally ill were treated during the period of the 19^th century. In the year of 1841, Dorothea was provided with the opportunity to visit a jail. It was located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During her walkthrough, she witnessed many displays of inconsideration. She saw mentally ill people chained to the dark, cold stone-created walls within the cells. She noticed that there was no heat. She witnessed the lost, empty looks of those inappropriately placed in a structure designed for criminals.

Once she experienced the environment of that jail and saw the horrors that lingered behind the stone structure, she committed to give everything she had in order to encourage more humane care and treatments for the deranged and demented. Once the Legislature of Massachusetts heard of the ordeal, she was granted funds to aid in optimizing the conditions that she saw. Then, she branched out. She went to numerous other states. Once she saw that all were similar, she traveled overseas to both Europe and Asia. She faced many challenges in her mission; however, she never lost hope. In New Jersey in the year of 1848, the very first state hospital designed to house and help the mentally ill opened its doors as a result of Dorothea’s work. Throughout her journey she worked closely with Thomas Kirkbride. Finally, Dorothea Dix became so mentally and physically worn that she admitted herself to this hospital in Trenton, New Jersey in 1881. Dorothea resided there until her death in the year of 1887.

Thomas Kirkbride

Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride developed a broad appreciation and a solid level of empathy for the deranged and demented during his lifetime. In the year of 1840, he became the superintendent of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. Prior to accepting this position, he has undergone training and had gained experience at both Friends’ Asylum and the Pennsylvania Hospital. Not only did this training and experience aid in qualifying Dr. Kirkbride for the position, but, it was enough to motivate him to become passionate over the mentally ill, their care and treatment, and their overall well-being.

Dr. Thomas Kirkbride served as one of the founders of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane or “AMSAII”. Eventually, he would also gain the honor of serving as the President of the American Psychiatric Association. His experiences led to the development of a standard method of constructing mental asylums across the nation and encouraged a new form of treatment for the mentally ill. This construction method was known as the Kirkbride Plan. The Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum was built based on this construction model. In fact, several institutions were built based on this construction model. Examples include Athens State Hospital, the Danvers State Hospital, and the Hudson River State Hospital.

The Kirkbride Plan

The 19^th century resulted in a high level of state-sponsored treatment activities for the mentally ill within the United States. During this period of time, it was not at all to observe multitudes of people with mental illnesses. This seemed to stem from the fast-growing populations and the amount of strain placed on the American people. Dr. Thomas Kirkbride was a highly influential advocate of the humane asylum system because they were based on the highly-revered tenets associated with Moral Treatment. It was his belief that all asylums should be an area where there was a high level of activity among patients, that patients were secluded from common causes of their illness, and that they were provided with medical therapy; however, he continued in stating that a certain type of building design could, potentially, optimize the health of those considered to be deranged or demented.

The Kirkbride Plan includes a very specific structural-based design. That is, that the unit should have a central building for administration. On the right and left side of the main administration building, there should be two wings of housing units, which would comprised of different tiered wards. Men and women would be housed in separate wings. Additionally, patients would be housed with those that had similar issues. Furthermore, the Kirkbride Plan called for each area of the asylum to have a large amount of fresh air and natural light. Additionally, the patients would be able to see outdoors, regardless of where they were placed within the facility. In the end, the Kirkbride Plan seemed to lack effectiveness; however, the haunted Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum still stands today, along with other facilities designed in this manner. While not effective, you can certainly see the thought processes of Dr. Thomas Kirkbride and why he thought it would be a positive and productive treatment approach for the mentally ill. In the end, a building was found to lack the ability to cure; however, the design definitely considers the comfort of the patient.

Hauntings

Throughout the history of the structure, many stories abound regarding the possibility of ghosts and spirits wandering the hall of this old lunatic asylum. The following outlines some of the creepy tales that are currently in circulation:

·       Many have claimed that they have been pushed on the first floor of the structure. For many, it was only a small push; for others, it was an immense push right into the walls that line the dark, creepy halls of the haunted hospital.

·       As you walk down the hall of the first floor, you may hear a whistle sound. Could this be a tic or a sound from the soul of a previous patient of the facility?

·       When the haunted hospital served as a home for the deranged and demented, a patient named Ruth resided on the first floor. Rumor has it that she was extremely cantankerous and had a violent streak. While strapped securely into a wheelchair, she would often scream obscenities of those that walked the halls – be it staff, visitors, or patients. Today, many claim to hear Ruth. There are some that believe that her negative energy abounds through the first floor. Many that have been pushed violently on the first floor feel that Ruth is to blame. It is believed that a previous caretaker provoked the spirit of Ruth by daring her to come out. At the time, the caretaker was showing her daughter around the facility. Just as they decided to move on, the caretaker named Sue was pushed up against the wall by an unknown force as her daughter watched on.

·       On the second floor, numerous fights, murders, and suicides have taken place. Not only have shadow figures been observed in this area, but, recordings from the area have caught an unknown voice saying, “Get Out!”

·       It is not at all uncommon for some to hear their name ring out from the shadows within the structure.

·       The third floor of the haunted hospital is where the nurses were stationed and lived. Here, apparitions of nurses and shadowy figures may be observed.

·       Disembodied screams and cries may be heard throughout the entire Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum; however, most reports stem from the geriatric unit.

·       Footsteps from an unknown source are commonly reported throughout the old Weston State Hospital.

·       The third floor is rumored to be the spiritual haunting grounds of spirits referred to as Dean (who was murdered at Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum), Nurse Elizabeth, and old Big Jim.

·       According to those that research signs of paranormal activity, the fourth floor of the Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum seems to be the most mystifying and spooky of all locations. Here, you may encounter and get the priviledge of communicating with the ghost named Lily. A dark, shadowy blob has been observed. When inquiring of a SB-7 Ghost Box of the identity of the blob, it responded with “demon”. Additionally, there is a very odd spirit that seemingly crawls along the floor. Finally, it is common to hear a banging noise – like that of banging on pipes.

Conclusion

There are a multitude of hauntings that are said to occur at the Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum. Today, the facility offers a large variety of tours. Many focus on the history of the structure, while others focus on the signs of paranormal activity that seem to abound in and around the building. Regardless of when you choose to visit this haunted hospital or what type of tour you elect to take, you will walk away knowing that more than just the physical bodies abound in and around the building. You will witness – whether visually, audibly, or both – the sounds emitted from the spirit world. You will know that the stories of the signs of paranormal activity are real at Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum. To view the tours that are currently available, you may visit the following link: http://trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/