
Terrell State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located in Terrell, Texas, United States. Opened in 1885, it was originally known as the North Texas Lunatic Asylum. The hospital has a history of overcrowding and has faced criticism for its lack of funding, with some of its buildings described as abandoned and in need of renovation. There have been reports of patient mistreatment and even a case of a patient being murdered by overdose by staff. Additionally, a woman was reportedly murdered at the hospital two decades ago, although the details of this incident remain unclear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Terrell, Texas, United States |
| Type of Hospital | Public psychiatric hospital |
| Year of Opening | 1885 |
| Original Name | North Texas Lunatic Asylum |
| Number of Patients in 1970 | 2,568 |
| Number of Patients in 1976 | 1,652 |
| Number of Patients in 1986 | 715 |
| Number of Patients in 1988 | 525 |
| Number of Admissions in 1992 | 2,899 |
| Number of Beds in 1992 | 521 |
| Number of Staff in 1993 | 1,294 |
| Address | 1200 East Brin Street |
| Phone Number | 972-524-6452 |
| Fax Number | 972-551-8053 |
| Murder Cases | A woman murdered two decades ago; a person posted on Reddit about their friend being murdered at the hospital |
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What You'll Learn

Terrell State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in Texas
The hospital is located in Terrell, Texas, and was built according to the Kirkbride Plan. It serves patients from across the state and offers a range of psychiatric services for adults, children, and adolescents, as well as geriatric psychiatric services and forensic competency restoration services. Terrell State Hospital is a public hospital and is government-funded.
In 1970, the hospital served 2,568 patients and was organised into four geographic and three specialty units. The number of patients declined in the following decades, reflecting a broader movement to reduce institutionalisation in psychiatric hospitals. The hospital employed 1,294 staff members in 1993.
In August 2024, Governor Greg Abbott announced the construction of a new building for Terrell State Hospital, slated for completion in late 2027. The new hospital will provide 415,000 square feet of inpatient psychiatric care space and has been approved for $573 million in funding.
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A patient was murdered by overdose at the hospital
Terrell State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in Terrell, Texas, that first opened in 1885 as the North Texas Lunatic Asylum. It is an in-patient psychiatric hospital offering adult, child, and adolescent psychiatric services, as well as geriatric psychiatric services and forensic competency restoration services.
In a HubPages article titled "My Friend, Murdered at Terrell State Hospital; in Terrell, Texas," the author, Wesman Todd Shaw, writes about the death of his friend Jason Evan, who was allegedly murdered by overdose, administered by the staff at Terrell State Hospital. Shaw describes the incident as a "sick situation," and expresses concern about the quality of care in jails and institutions. He mentions that his friend was "killed by someone driving a needle," implying that the overdose was intentional or negligent on the part of hospital staff.
In the comments section of the article, a person claiming to be a long-time employee of Terrell State Hospital expresses their condolences for the death of Jason but disagrees with the notion that he was murdered. They acknowledge that while the hospital has improved over the years, they cannot speak for all their co-workers, and some patients may feel like they are in prison due to the conduct of certain staff members.
While the details of the case are unclear, and there may be differing opinions on the nature of the incident, it is evident that the death of Jason Evan at Terrell State Hospital was a tragic event that has raised concerns about patient care and safety in psychiatric institutions. It underscores the importance of proper oversight and accountability in such facilities to ensure the well-being and protection of vulnerable individuals under their care.
This incident also highlights the complexities and challenges faced by psychiatric hospitals, their staff, and patients. While Terrell State Hospital has a mix of dedicated and compassionate employees, as evident in the comments, the impact of a few negligent or malicious individuals can have severe consequences.
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The hospital has abandoned buildings and an eerie atmosphere
Terrell State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in Terrell, Texas, that first opened in 1885 as the North Texas Lunatic Asylum. The hospital has a long history of providing psychiatric services to the region, but it has also faced challenges over the years, including a decline in patient admissions after 1970 and issues with funding.
Today, the hospital still operates, but it has a number of abandoned buildings on its campus. One former nursing student who did their psych rotation at the hospital noted that the site is "so old it does have an eerie atmosphere about it". The student also observed that the hospital could benefit from some "TLC" but is likely held back by a lack of funding, a common issue for state-run hospitals.
The eerie atmosphere of the hospital is likely due in part to its age and state of disrepair. The hospital has been operating for over a century, and the original building was constructed according to the Kirkbride Plan, a design philosophy for psychiatric hospitals that emphasized large, imposing structures. While the hospital once served a large number of patients, with 2,568 patients in 1970, that number had declined to 525 by 1988, leaving much of the hospital's infrastructure unused.
Adding to the eerie atmosphere are reports of murders that have taken place within the hospital's walls. One account tells the story of Jason Evans, a patient at Terrell State Hospital who was allegedly murdered by an overdose administered by hospital staff. Another report mentions the unsolved murder of a woman at the hospital two decades ago, with the building where it occurred remaining abandoned since.
The combination of abandoned buildings, a haunting past, and the overall age and disrepair of the campus contribute to the eerie atmosphere that surrounds Terrell State Hospital.
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The hospital has had issues with overcrowding
Terrell State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in Terrell, Texas, that first opened in 1885 as the North Texas Lunatic Asylum. The hospital was established in response to overcrowding in the state's only other psychiatric treatment centre in Austin, which meant that patients were often confined to county jails and poorhouses that were ill-equipped to treat mental illness.
The hospital has a long history of overcrowding. By 1970, it was serving 2,568 patients and was organised into four geographic and three specialty units. In 1992, there were 2,899 admissions for just 521 beds. However, the number of patients declined in the following decades, with 525 patients in 1988 and 715 in 1986. This decrease in patients reflects a broader movement to reduce the number of people institutionalised in psychiatric hospitals across the United States.
Despite this, the hospital still struggles with overcrowding and a lack of funding. A former patient reported that the staff at Terrell State Hospital were ill-equipped to treat the mentally ill and that the hospital felt like a prison. The patient also noted that there were abandoned buildings throughout the campus, giving the place an eerie atmosphere.
The high number of patients and lack of funding at Terrell State Hospital have likely contributed to a perception of poor treatment and inadequate facilities.
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The hospital offers adult, child and geriatric psychiatric services
Terrell State Hospital is a psychiatric facility located in Terrell, Texas, United States. It was opened in July 1885 as the North Texas Lunatic Asylum, the purpose of which was to treat and care for the "chronic incurable insane". The hospital was originally built according to the Kirkbride Plan.
Today, Terrell State Hospital offers adult, child, and geriatric psychiatric services. It is an in-patient psychiatric hospital, providing care and treatment for a range of mental health issues. The hospital has a long history of serving the community and has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of psychiatric care.
In the late nineteenth century, due to overcrowding in the state's only psychiatric treatment facility in Austin, eligible patients in Texas were often confined to county jails and poorhouses, which were ill-equipped to treat mental illness. The establishment of Terrell State Hospital as a regional psychiatric hospital aimed to address this issue.
Over the years, the hospital has undergone expansions and improvements to accommodate the increasing number of patients. By 1970, the hospital served 2,568 patients and was organized into four geographic and three specialty units. Various occupational therapy programs and outpatient programs were also implemented. Recreational facilities for patients were constructed at nearby Lake Tawakoni.
The hospital's patient admissions declined in the decades after 1970, reflecting a broader movement to reduce the institutionalization of psychiatric patients in the United States. Despite the decrease in patient numbers, Terrell State Hospital continues to provide essential psychiatric services to those in need, including adult, child, and geriatric populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is a public psychiatric hospital located in Terrell, Texas.
There is a claim made by a Reddit user that their friend was murdered at Terrell State Hospital. Additionally, there is a report of a woman being murdered at the hospital two decades ago.
Terrell State Hospital, originally known as the North Texas Lunatic Asylum, was opened in 1885 as a regional psychiatric hospital.
In 1970, the hospital served 2,568 patients. In 1992, there were 2,899 admissions for 521 beds.








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