Free State Hospital Center
Considered to be the second state-run hospital center for the insane within the state, the "Free State Hospital Center" was established in 1894. The first patients were brought into the hospital in 1896. At this time, many of the main hospital buildings were still under construction and the patients were temporarily housed in renovated farmhouses. The campuses were divided by the men's grouping to the north and the women's grouping to the south. The campus slowly grew with numerous new buildings being added to support both sides of campus and the administrative wings.
By the 1950's, the hospital center was housing upwards of 3,000 patients. When overcrowding became an issue, the state published an article shaming the state hospitals and their conditions. Due to this, the "Free State Hospital Center" added new buildings and made renovations to every single existing building on campus. Because of this effort, the hospital became a nationwide model for a reformed concept in treating the mentally ill. Although the patient population began to decrease during the deinstitutionalization, the campus still added new buildings with would focus on outpatient services. During the 1980's many services were consolidated and various buildings spread across campus became abandoned. In 2000, the historic buildings of the hospital were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Read MoreBy the 1950's, the hospital center was housing upwards of 3,000 patients. When overcrowding became an issue, the state published an article shaming the state hospitals and their conditions. Due to this, the "Free State Hospital Center" added new buildings and made renovations to every single existing building on campus. Because of this effort, the hospital became a nationwide model for a reformed concept in treating the mentally ill. Although the patient population began to decrease during the deinstitutionalization, the campus still added new buildings with would focus on outpatient services. During the 1980's many services were consolidated and various buildings spread across campus became abandoned. In 2000, the historic buildings of the hospital were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
