I was there as a nursing student for three months in the late ‘60s. We had to live there. There was nothing beautiful or serene behind the walls where the people were kept. Much of it was horrifying.
Were any of those old buildings still standing at that time? I live near there but when I started going through the grounds in the early 1980's those were all long gone. It is a shame, seemed to be some beautiful architecture.
I just recently read a book called Broken Pencils about a family who had a severely, mentally challenged teenager who was put in there, because his mother physically couldn’t care for him anymore. The first time she was allowed to visit him was a month after he was admitted. Because of the abuse and neglect he was suffering in their hands, his mother wanted to take him home that day. They would not release him. He was malnourished, filthy, neglected, and physically abused while there. It was so sad. He want the only person neglected and abused there. I wonder how many people died from abuse and neglect while there.
*FWIW:* I was there in the spring of 1975, (men's ward 10); for two weeks... I was 18 and recovering from my second drug overdose. I was not suicidal, just experimenting; i called it playing, "physillogical chicken". Men's Ward 10 was a trip; it was straight out of Cuckoo's Nest... right down to Nurse Ratchet!! LOL!!! I'm 62 now, but often wonder how i survived my own self-made insanity... i knew so many from back then who weren't so lucky. Jim Morrison was right: *PEOPLE ARE STRANGE.*
Last time I OD'd they towed my truck and I walked home. No joke. Found in someone's front yard in my truck almost dead. Had my dad go pick my truck up at 9am the next morning. (He didn't know I OD'd) Found out later I could have picked it up no problem. I never got a ticket or a summons or anything at all.
I remember it from the 1960s. The grounds were quite beautiful with a large variety of trees. I would go there to collect leaves for school projects. All the buildings had bars on the windows; that was creepy.
I grew up on the grounds there in a house built in the 50's. My dad was a doctor there and a few families had houses there near the barn on the far edge of the property. We lived there 1961 to 1977. We lived in a different "universe" than did the patients. Looking back on how we thought about the patients at the time, I'm horrified about our ignorant and unkind adolescent attitudes we had toward them. In later years I grew so interested in its history and learned that, when first built around 1890, it was considered a brilliant leading entity in psychiatry and was used as the model for many psych asylum campuses nationally. That being said, I loved the beauty of the buildings and the land around it was so beautiful for kids like us to explore (as a parent now I'd be horrified to let my kids loose there without supervision). We ice skated and fished in the ponds; Carved our initials in the beautiful trees there; rode bikes; played whiffle ball in a lot by my neighbors' place. Inside the wards and the cottages, there were a lot of horrible things happening that we weren't aware of - again, learning about it many years later. I wish I'd been aware enough at the time of demolition so I could have worked to preserve a building or two and make a small piece of it a historical site. But alas, live and learn.
A lovely place on the outside,with many stories hidden inside... My partner of 15yrs struggles with schizo-effective disorder and was there about 5-6yrs ago for about a month. It was incredibly scary for him as he was expecting to get sent to the more cozy,familiar hospital ward but after so many times they took him to State. He's a very calm,reserved person even when he's going through his "cycles" He told me there was some VERY interesting an odd people there apparently he'd never seen anyone act that bad in the psych ward at the hospital. He also said some of the nurses weren't very kind towards them. He's been on a monthly shot now since and is doing really well but my heart aches for the loved ones still there who don't respond to medication 😔 We've come a long way but there's still SO much to be done regarding mental health stigma and awareness.
He was there 5-6 years ago but was demolished in the 90's... Hi I live in Toledo and this no longer exists and hasn't existed in a long time so take your stories else where or know where he went
Visited my Uncle..DX with dementia …often… 3:343:34 in this area. He was head veterinarian of the Toledo Zoo at one time. Beautiful area .. Sad sad surroundings.
I spent several months in the adolescent ward in 1981, R2B, it was in the new receiving building closer to Glendale. My dad had me committed there for basically just arguing with him all the time.
I used to live in that neighborhood beside it to the left. I dated a guy who worked there. I waited for him to get off work inside and down the basement in the break room. I passed a "nut case" in the hall down there. Thought he looked weird, sure enough, he was waiting down another lonely hallway with his pants down to his shoes and T-shirt up to his neck! I ran up the stairs like I was running for my life! This took place in the early 1970s.
To let's not dying. Its just changing the landscapes once again. The silent generation said it was dying in the fifties and sixties as the landscapes were changing. I remember the Toledo Asylum and State Hospital. We visited veterans and others who lived there. Bittersweet memories of my beloved hometown and State. Its my home. The grass, is greener at home. 😘😘
My father worked maintainence there for three decades. Mid 60s till early 80s. I once went with him to an early 'take your kid to work day' where I saw in his shop an old partly wooden wheelchair to which had been welded hand and foot manacles as well as a fencing mask for controlling violent patients. While at the time I didn't give it much thought, now the idea just saddens me.
And I think it or part of it, still stands today. I heard many horror stories, of that place and what went on inside. It is very sad. I think it is still a state mental hospital/asylum. 😪
No it's not -each hospital has a 'ward' now and then there are small centers but in all seriousness what were once thought of as mental illnesses like hysteria aren't well they renamed it bi-polar. But the Psychiatric Community is different nd shady and making bucks experimenting and getting printed is bigger concern . My grandmother of Evil put my grandfather there just to get him out of the way for a while as she was having an affair
My Great Uncle Louis Garcia was sent there after a "Micky" was put in his drink while out with his so called friend. He got jealous because my Uncle danced with his girlfriend and they were having to much fun without him. Uncle Louis never left there. He died in there. Can't remember the years. Had to be between the 2 world wars.
That place did not look welcoming at all. Loos like the set of a horror film. Probably was a source of horror to some there. A lot of people today that are considered normal now weren't back then and were subject to horrifying tests and procedures. So sad.
When the complex opened during the Progressive Era it was considered revolutionary for the manner in which patients were treated. But from what I have read, it could have been an episode of American Horror Story. Construction was delayed due to one of the buildings being partially swallowed by "quicksand', the first commandant and his wife were nearly killed in a tornado or bad windstorm when riding in a carriage on the grounds just before it opened, and another of the commandants was later admitted as a patient there before being removed due to the way he was treated by the other patients.
I was there as a nursing student for three months in the late ‘60s. We had to live there. There was nothing beautiful or serene behind the walls where the people were kept. Much of it was horrifying.
Were any of those old buildings still standing at that time? I live near there but when I started going through the grounds in the early 1980's those were all long gone. It is a shame, seemed to be some beautiful architecture.
These places always look so quaint and lovely on the outside I guess the same can sometimes be said for people...
My mom was also a nursing student there, probably early 1960s. She said the same.
You should write a book or a memoir about what you saw. I’m sure most people have no idea!
I was a student nurse there in 1954. Wish I’d had a camera. Remember B building with rows and rows of women shackled to beds.
Thank you so much for this video. I am doing some research on family history and found my 2nd great grandfather was here.
Many of my family members were there too
My great grandfather died in there also.
I just recently read a book called Broken Pencils about a family who had a severely, mentally challenged teenager who was put in there, because his mother physically couldn’t care for him anymore. The first time she was allowed to visit him was a month after he was admitted. Because of the abuse and neglect he was suffering in their hands, his mother wanted to take him home that day. They would not release him. He was malnourished, filthy, neglected, and physically abused while there. It was so sad. He want the only person neglected and abused there. I wonder how many people died from abuse and neglect while there.
@@wisejojohumphrey3475 wow that is so sad 🥺 I couldn't imagine going through that....
How did you find the information or a roster?
Thank you! Those of us who work to record the history of Toledo State Hospital appreciate your video.
You are very welcome!
They just don't make buildings like they use to. Great collection of photos. Thank you for keeping Toledo's History alive.
*FWIW:* I was there in the spring of 1975, (men's ward 10); for two weeks... I was 18 and recovering from my second drug overdose. I was not suicidal, just experimenting; i called it playing, "physillogical chicken". Men's Ward 10 was a trip; it was straight out of Cuckoo's Nest... right down to Nurse Ratchet!! LOL!!! I'm 62 now, but often wonder how i survived my own self-made insanity... i knew so many from back then who weren't so lucky. Jim Morrison was right: *PEOPLE ARE STRANGE.*
david williamson very strange
Some people these days could really use a dose of psychedelics though.
My dad lived there most of his life, bradyn Kinsey. He had severe schizophrenia. He was memorable , 6 foot 6 inches tall and dark hair.
You are blessed you got out of there alive!
Last time I OD'd they towed my truck and I walked home. No joke. Found in someone's front yard in my truck almost dead. Had my dad go pick my truck up at 9am the next morning. (He didn't know I OD'd) Found out later I could have picked it up no problem. I never got a ticket or a summons or anything at all.
I remember it from the 1960s. The grounds were quite beautiful with a large variety of trees. I would go there to collect leaves for school projects. All the buildings had bars on the windows; that was creepy.
my grandma was there then. thank you so much for the video. more please
I grew up on the grounds there in a house built in the 50's. My dad was a doctor there and a few families had houses there near the barn on the far edge of the property. We lived there 1961 to 1977. We lived in a different "universe" than did the patients. Looking back on how we thought about the patients at the time, I'm horrified about our ignorant and unkind adolescent attitudes we had toward them. In later years I grew so interested in its history and learned that, when first built around 1890, it was considered a brilliant leading entity in psychiatry and was used as the model for many psych asylum campuses nationally. That being said, I loved the beauty of the buildings and the land around it was so beautiful for kids like us to explore (as a parent now I'd be horrified to let my kids loose there without supervision). We ice skated and fished in the ponds; Carved our initials in the beautiful trees there; rode bikes; played whiffle ball in a lot by my neighbors' place. Inside the wards and the cottages, there were a lot of horrible things happening that we weren't aware of - again, learning about it many years later. I wish I'd been aware enough at the time of demolition so I could have worked to preserve a building or two and make a small piece of it a historical site. But alas, live and learn.
I worked there 1988-1990. At that time, there was only one remaining cottage, which was then used for administration and court appearances.
My dad was there then, bradyn Kinsey , a patient . he was there most of his life
A lovely place on the outside,with many stories hidden inside...
My partner of 15yrs struggles with schizo-effective disorder and was there about 5-6yrs ago for about a month.
It was incredibly scary for him as he was expecting to get sent to the more cozy,familiar hospital ward but after so many times they took him to State. He's a very calm,reserved person even when he's going through his "cycles"
He told me there was some VERY interesting an odd people there apparently he'd never seen anyone act that bad in the psych ward at the hospital. He also said some of the nurses weren't very kind towards them.
He's been on a monthly shot now since and is doing really well but my heart aches for the loved ones still there who don't respond to medication 😔
We've come a long way but there's still SO much to be done regarding mental health stigma and awareness.
He was there 5-6 years ago but was demolished in the 90's... Hi I live in Toledo and this no longer exists and hasn't existed in a long time so take your stories else where or know where he went
Visited my Uncle..DX with dementia …often… 3:34 3:34 in this area. He was head veterinarian of the Toledo Zoo at one time. Beautiful area ..
Sad sad surroundings.
I was born n raised in Toledo ...always wondered why it never became a museum.
There was a pond there where people went ice skating. I never did, but many of my friends went there when I was in high school in the 1950's.
Nice to see where my great grandma was placed aganst her will. at least it was a very pretty spot. thank you
You are welcome!
It was not pretty on the inside.
Any construction photos?
My dad lived there most of his life. He had severe schizophrenia.,he moved to a group home on the B.G. S. U, campus when it closed.
I spent several months in the adolescent ward in 1981, R2B, it was in the new receiving building closer to Glendale. My dad had me committed there for basically just arguing with him all the time.
I used to live in that neighborhood beside it to the left. I dated a guy who worked there. I waited for him to get off work inside and down the basement in the break room. I passed a "nut case" in the hall down there. Thought he looked weird, sure enough, he was waiting down another lonely hallway with his pants down to his shoes and T-shirt up to his neck! I ran up the stairs like I was running for my life! This took place in the early 1970s.
Used to ride my bike through there when I was a kid in the 70's. Probably wouldn't hurt to have something like it around today. Just sayin'
They do and if you only knew how they still treat people. They are all 'wards' in each of the hospitals now.
Where is this located present day
To let's not dying. Its just changing the landscapes once again. The silent generation said it was dying in the fifties and sixties as the landscapes were changing. I remember the Toledo Asylum and State Hospital. We visited veterans and others who lived there. Bittersweet memories of my beloved hometown and State. Its my home. The grass, is greener at home. 😘😘
My father worked maintainence there for three decades. Mid 60s till early 80s.
I once went with him to an early 'take your kid to work day' where I saw in his shop an old partly wooden wheelchair to which had been welded hand and foot manacles as well as a fencing mask for controlling violent patients. While at the time I didn't give it much thought, now the idea just saddens me.
R.i.p. dad bradyn Kinsey
Was this located at South Detroit Rd?
Yes....down the street and sort of behind MCO.
Yeah Detroit and Arlington as it were. I grew up in the area, spent plenty of time smoking pot in those empty, unmarked fields
Yes...Detroit Avenue actually
And I think it or part of it, still stands today. I heard many horror stories, of that place and what went on inside. It is very sad. I think it is still a state mental hospital/asylum. 😪
Is it near Cherry and Bancroft by chance?
@@rowenahaps8514 no
@@rowenahaps8514 Detroit by Arlington
@@rowenahaps8514 It's just past where what was call The Medical College of Ohio and now UTMC
No it's not -each hospital has a 'ward' now and then there are small centers but in all seriousness what were once thought of as mental illnesses like hysteria aren't well they renamed it bi-polar. But the Psychiatric Community is different nd shady and making bucks experimenting and getting printed is bigger concern . My grandmother of Evil put my grandfather there just to get him out of the way for a while as she was having an affair
Where exactly in Toledo was this located?
S Detroit and Arlington
It's just past what was once called MCO now UTMC Medical College and Hospital.
@@007Thursday 😮
Does anyone know where this place was?
It was on Detroit Ave from Glendale to Arlington.
Bowsher high school is located right beside the graveyard.
The second cemetery is over behind the UTMC
I smoked hella weed after school on them graves. Good times man
My Great Uncle Louis Garcia was sent there after a "Micky" was put in his drink while out with his so called friend. He got jealous because my Uncle danced with his girlfriend and they were having to much fun without him. Uncle Louis never left there. He died in there. Can't remember the years. Had to be between the 2 world wars.
Built?
Blake Bendele inhabited in 1888
That place did not look welcoming at all. Loos like the set of a horror film. Probably was a source of horror to some there. A lot of people today that are considered normal now weren't back then and were subject to horrifying tests and procedures. So sad.
When the complex opened during the Progressive Era it was considered revolutionary for the manner in which patients were treated. But from what I have read, it could have been an episode of American Horror Story. Construction was delayed due to one of the buildings being partially swallowed by "quicksand', the first commandant and his wife were nearly killed in a tornado or bad windstorm when riding in a carriage on the grounds just before it opened, and another of the commandants was later admitted as a patient there before being removed due to the way he was treated by the other patients.
NOTHING NICE ABOUT THAT PLACE I REMEMBER IT AS A KID IN THE 60S