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. It is the purpose of this book to personalize the peoria state hospital through the use of. 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. Kent county lunatic asylum oakwood hospital this former abandoned hospital, a complex of stunning 19th century buildings, once housed 2,000 psychiatric patients. A favorite location of modern horror movies and television shows, insane asylums have captured our imaginations for ages. Like many poor farms and mental hospitals in illinois, the cook county poor farm and the asylum built upon it had a tragic history.
There were two wings, one for male patients and one for female. Old book as he began to be called was especially suited to the work. It is said that upon his death his physical form was seen by dr. 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. At light speed, the village needs to adopt a campaign thats a long time coming. 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. Haunted asylums peoria state hosptial in bartonville. Time passed and eventually old book too passed away.
Peoria state hospital bartonville asylum bartonville illinois real. Bartonville insane asylum, il walkthrough part 1 zak walked down the stone path as nick and aaron filmed him. They even opened his coffin to confirm his body was. It is legendary with the graveyard and few old buildings left. Open every friday and saturday night in october 7 p. Cook county insane asylum former chicago, illinois. If you have any interest in the old state hospital, this is the book for you. Every time workers tried to get rid of the tree, they would hear wailing emitting from it. In 1902, the bartonville insane asylum was reopened by dr.
Bartonville bartonville, its time to give up the ghost. The psychiatric hospital was rebuilt in 1902 under the direction of dr. Jul 09, 20 i created this slideshow as a walkthrough at this location. Bartonville, with a population of about 7,000, is located in peoria county. In august 2014, i requested the mental health records held at elgin and the state of illinois archives on my greatgreatuncle who died at. Former insane asylum in bartonville draws crowds for spooky. This did not work and was told later that it will never work. Theres a story that a patient nicknamed old book once lived here. Manuel bookbinder, or old book, haunts the graveyard, not far from a large elm tree.
From bartonville mental hospital in peoria, illinois comes the story of old book. I say this because of the progressive medicine that dr. Many of the most famous mental institutions have sordid histories, with famous patients, terrifying ghosts, and scads of abuse. Theres only one confirmed spirit active at peoria state hospital. Bartonville insane asylum was originally built in the mid 1880s. At his own death, the wailing was even louder, and many doctors, nurses and. 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. Peoria asylum bartonville 2020 all you need to know.
The hospital grounds and its 47 buildings are listed as an historic district on the national register of historic places. Peoria state hospital wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The institution began life as the illinois asylum for the incurable insane. Nov 11, 2014 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. At the turn of the century, the peoria state hospital was opened in 1902 as the illinois asylum for the incurable insane. Growing up, friends parents would tell stories of the old weeping willow tree and the tunnels under the buildings linking each other.
The building was never used, apparently due to the structural damage caused when the abandoned mine shafts it was built over collapsed. This tree, where book would give vent to his grief, was known as the graveyard elm. The bartonville insane asylum is a real location and most of its history, however some stories within the building are fiction. Peoria state hospital was in operation from 1902 to 1973. Peoria state hospital wikimili, the free encyclopedia. In all, doctors performed 94 lobotomies on the most insane people. The haunted infirmary come see what spills out of the. Popular insane asylum books meet your next favorite book. See more ideas about asylum, insane asylum and peoria illinois.
Apparently bartonville state hospital was a nice place to visit and quite a few souls decided to stay. Bookbinder old book, a patient who worked with the burial crew at the hospital until his own death. Ordinarily, when the coffin was being lowered, the gravediggers would stand back out of the way and wait silently for the funeral to end. The decay was believed to be caused by the collapsing of the old mine shafts. This patient assisted in the burial of many other inmates and was known for wailing pitiably for their deaths. The new hospital implemented the cottage system and 33 different buildings were used to house patients. Haunted infirmary at the bartonville insane asylum.
They terrify us, but we cant seem to get enough of the mysteries surrounding them. Peoria state hospital bartonville asylum real bartonville haunt real haunts. Strangely, old book as he began to be called was especially suited to the work. The legend of old book mightve long ago faded into the backstory of peoria state hospital in.
Dec 01, 2015 bartonville bartonville, its time to give up the ghost. Former insane asylum in bartonville draws crowds for. Like many asylums of the era, the bartonville institution housed not just the. The hospital is located in bartonville, illinois, near the. Im creating a video of the evidence and will release it soon. I really cant recommend this book for 9 12 yearolds. 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. Zeller who was the physician who led the hospital attested that 400 staff and patients saw old books ghost mourning at his own funeral. The hospital was founded as a result of the illinois general assemblys provision for the establishment of the illinois asylum. Submitted by jill morelli on sunday, march 29, 2015 to newberry genealogy blog. A few miles outside of peoria, illinois rests the bartonville insane asylum. While rumors of ghosts and ghost stories are highly speculative, the old book tale has been documented many times. Haunted asylums peoria state hosptial in bartonville, illinois.
Old book worked with the burial crew at the facility. By the early 1900s, ridges asylum was alarmingly overcrowded. I watched from a distance, getting my audio pack set to go. Word spread among the employees and as book was wellliked, and noted for his peculiarities, everyone decided they would attend his funeral. Haunted infirmary at bartonville insane asylum posts. Oct 03, 2014 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. Peoria state hospital hauntings ghostly activities. Asylum is of enormous value, as a record of how such places looked in their final years. At his own death, the wailing was even louder, and many doctors, nurses and other witnesses reported looking over at the graveyard elm to see old books ghost crying in anguish. The most violent patients were housed near the outer tips of the wings.
Areas greatest ghost story came from peoria state hospital. Peoria state hospital bartonville asylum real bartonville haunt. Dec 11, 2012 the illinois paranormal research association or ipra takes you to the haunted infirmary ward on the grounds of the bartonville insane asylum in peoria, illinois. 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. I created this slideshow as a walkthrough at this location.
The asylum has a total of 47 buildings on its grounds. Zellers plan for the bartonville hospital was to allow. At his own death, the wailing was even louder, and many doctors, nurses and other witnesses reported looking over at the graveyard elm to see old book. Oct 31, 2017 a favorite location of modern horror movies and television shows, insane asylums have captured our imaginations for ages. 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. Peoria state hospital bartonville asylum bartonville. This 60,000 square foot building has been widely known for stories of inhumane treatments on mentally ill patients, now is being known for the ghosts that are said to haunt to this place.
Jan 23, 2012 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. Top 10 most haunted hospitals in illinois mysterious. Peoria state hospital bartonville, illinois atlas obscura. The key player in the areas greatest ghost story isnt a character in the tale, but the author.
This tragedy spawned a diaspora of ghost stories as the modern city of chicago spread around it and, eventually, over the site itself. The hospital grounds and its 47 buildings are listed as a historic district on the national. He led the grave digging and mourning duties for the hospital with a team of 6 nonviolent patients. Peoria state hospital, bartonville state hospital, illinois general asylum for the insane, and illinois asylum for the incurably insane. 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. Surrounding by tales of unsettled spirits and ghost sightings, the asylum is well known in central illinois and a favorite stopping point for many who are interested in the paranormal.
Zeller and over a hundred of the patients and nurses that attended his funeral crying at the old elm in the potters field. He was beloved by the hospital and the staff for his gentle nature and hard work. Haunted infirmary at bartonville insane asylum youtube. A map, bibliography, glossary, index, and an internet site where a reader can learn more about abandoned insane asylums are provided at the back of this 32page book. View all restaurants near peoria asylum on tripadvisor. The illinois paranormal research association or ipra takes you to the haunted infirmary ward on the grounds of the bartonville insane asylum in. For many, just mentioning bartonville insane asylum sends chills down the spine.
Haunted bartonville insane asylum infirmary youtube. Family historian jill morelli enlightened the genealogical community by posting her experience of obtaining the records of an ancestor who died in 1905. Zak walked down the stone path as nick and aaron filmed him. The old mental hospital has been closed for as long as i have been alive. Richard and trish weiss pose outside the former illinois asylum for the incurable insane, a mental hospital they are continuing to rehab in bartonville, ill. They say that ol book, as he was called, used to lean up against an old elm tree in the. Among those documenting the tale is the first director of the state insane asylum, george zeller. Haunted insane asylum photos and stories lovetoknow. George zeller who operated it as a hospital facility. Apr 06, 2010 it has had many names over the past 115 years. This tragedy spawned a diaspora of ghost stories as the modern city of. It was first built in 1895 in bartonville, il but was never used until 1902 when it was taken over by dr. According to early reports, the castlelike building had been constructed over an abandoned coal mine and wide cracks were beginning to appear in the walls.
More than that, and despite its dismal subject matter, it makes for a remarkable and endlessly fascinating book, one that can be recommended with enthusiasm to both the architectural historian and the general reader. Ordinarily, when the coffin was being lowered, the gravediggers would stand back out of the way and wait. Haunted infirmary at bartonville insane asylum, bartonville, illinois. The bartonville hospital is located on private property.
Soon, the attendants enlisted him to assist in the burial corps. Zeller described the man as being strong and healthy, although completely uncommunicative. He suffered from a mental illness that prevented him speaking, so he was transferred here despite his physical body being normal. 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. Unlike most of the other asylums weve covered, the asylums director, dr.
The reason why it was not used in the beginning is that it was built on top of an abandoned coal mine. Manuel bookbinder old book gravestone at peoria state hospital. From 19021973 this was the place of a mental hospital, which now continues to. The legend of old book mightve long ago faded into the backstory of. In august 2014, i requested the mental health records held at elgin and the state of illinois archives on my greatgreatuncle who died at bartonville peoria in 1905. The hospital is located in bartonville, illinois, near the city of peoria in peoria county. There were cracks showing up in the walls and the building was not safe. 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. Jan 08, 2020 kent county lunatic asylum oakwood hospital this former abandoned hospital, a complex of stunning 19th century buildings, once housed 2,000 psychiatric patients. 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. Peoria state hospital historic district, also known as bartonville state hospital or illinois hospital for the incurable insane, was a mental health hospital operated by the state of illinois. It was a massive old tree which had been standing for many years.
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