Tessa Quinn
Evansville State Hospital, founded in 1890, is a psychiatric hospital in Indiana that offers treatment for chronic mental illness and substance abuse disorders. The hospital was built on 160 acres of land on Newburgh Road, now known as Lincoln Avenue, between Evansville and Newburgh. Over time, more land was acquired, and the campus expanded to nearly 900 acres, including land that was eventually repurposed for other institutions. Today, the hospital resides on 88 acres on the east side of Evansville, with an adjacent 88-acre park that is a popular destination for locals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | East Side of Evansville, Indiana |
| Acreage | 88 acres |
| Former Names | Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane, Woodmere |
| Year Founded | 1890 |
| Year of Name Change | 1927 |
| Original Acreage | 160 acres |
| Peak Number of Patients | 1500 (in 1954) |
| Features | Gardens, poultry operation, dairy herd, orchards, power plant, small lake, soccer and baseball fields |
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What You'll Learn
The hospital was built on 160 acres of land
The Evansville State Hospital was established in 1890 on 160 acres of land on Newburgh Road, now known as Lincoln Avenue, between Evansville and Newburgh. The hospital was originally named the Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane and was situated on the former Howard farm property. The state appropriated funds for the hospital in 1883, purchasing the land for $17,000.
The hospital campus quickly expanded, eventually encompassing nearly 900 acres of what is now the East Side of Evansville. This included the land that was later repurposed for Robert Stadium, St. Mary's Medical Center, Wesselman's Woods Nature Preserve, and St. Vincent's Medical Center. The hospital grounds included gardens, a poultry operation, a dairy herd, and orchards, providing both occupation for the patients and self-sufficiency for the institution.
The Evansville State Hospital was more than just a medical facility; it was a self-contained world, offering solitude and peace to its patients. The vast acreage allowed for a working farm, with patient labour utilised in dairy, poultry, and orchard operations. The campus even featured its own power plant. The hospital's location, nestled in a wooded area with a small lake, contributed to a tranquil environment believed to benefit those in treatment.
Over time, the hospital's focus shifted from custodial care to active treatment. Today, the Evansville State Hospital continues to operate as a psychiatric hospital, providing medical treatment for chronic mental illness and substance abuse disorders. While the old structures have been demolished, the hospital remains committed to its mission of hope and recovery, assisting patients in achieving their goals towards living in the most non-restrictive environment.
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The campus expanded to 900 acres
Evansville State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Indiana, has a long and rich history. Founded in 1890, the hospital was originally known as the Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane. It was built on the former Howard farm property on Newburgh Road, now known as Lincoln Avenue, between Evansville and Newburgh. The hospital campus was initially established on 160 acres of land, but it quickly expanded, eventually encompassing nearly 900 acres of what is now the East Side of Evansville.
The expansion of the campus can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the hospital's focus on providing a tranquil and therapeutic environment for its patients. With its gardens, poultry operation, dairy herd, and orchards, the hospital aimed to keep patients occupied and also become self-sufficient. This required a significant amount of land, which led to the acquisition of additional acreage.
Another factor contributing to the expansion was the need for space for various facilities and infrastructure. The hospital had its own power plant, a working farm staffed by patients, and even a small lake. As the hospital grew, it needed more land to accommodate these features and any future developments.
The large campus also allowed for the establishment of other institutions. Today, the land that was once part of the Evansville State Hospital campus is now home to the Robert Stadium, St. Mary's Medical Center, Wesselman's Woods Nature Preserve, and St. Vincent's Medical Center. The expansion of the campus to 900 acres not only benefited the hospital but also contributed to the development of the surrounding community.
While the hospital has undergone changes over the years, including the construction of new buildings and the demolition of old structures, the current Evansville State Hospital continues to reside on 88 acres on the East Side of Evansville. The hospital remains committed to its mission of providing medical treatment for chronic mental illness and substance abuse disorders, offering hope and recovery to its patients.
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The current hospital sits on 88 acres
The Evansville State Hospital, one of Indiana's state psychiatric hospitals, currently sits on 88 acres of land on the east side of Evansville, Indiana. The hospital was originally built on 160 acres of land on Newburgh Road, now known as Lincoln Avenue, between Evansville and Newburgh. Over time, more land was added, and the hospital's campus expanded to nearly 900 acres.
The hospital first opened its doors in October 1890, initially admitting only two patients. However, by 1954, the patient population had peaked at an estimated 1,500. The hospital provided treatment for chronic mental illness and substance abuse disorders, with a focus on helping patients achieve their goals and live in the most non-restrictive environment possible.
The Evansville State Hospital has a long and rich history. It was originally known as the Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane and was later renamed the State Hospital in 1927. The name change was partially done to destigmatize the institution and celebrate its tranquil and wooded setting. The early years of the hospital were marked by a custodial approach, where patients participated in hard work and self-sufficient activities such as gardening, poultry operations, and dairy farming.
On February 9, 1943, a tragic fire destroyed much of the original building, resulting in the loss of life among staff and patients. The hospital was rebuilt, and by the late 1990s, a new facility was constructed, with all the old structures demolished by 2008. Today, the Evansville State Hospital continues to serve the community, providing medical treatment and support for its patients in a modern and accredited psychiatric inpatient facility.
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The hospital had a farm, orchards and dairy cows
The Evansville State Hospital was founded in 1890 on 160 acres of land on Newburgh Road, now known as Lincoln Avenue. The hospital campus quickly expanded, eventually holding nearly 900 acres of what is now the East Side of Evansville. Today, the hospital resides on 88 acres of land.
The hospital was built on the former Howard farm property, and it continued to maintain a farm on its grounds. Using patient labour, the hospital ran a working farm with dairy cows, poultry, and an orchard. The farm also included a dairy herd. In addition to providing work for patients, the farm made the hospital self-sufficient.
The Evansville State Hospital was originally known as the Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane. It was partially renamed "Woodmere", meaning "tranquility in the forest", to de-stigmatize the term "insane" and to celebrate the hospital's wooded acres.
The hospital's grounds also included gardens, a power plant, and a small lake. The public was able to enjoy the hospital's grounds, which now feature walking trails, soccer fields, and baseball fields.
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A fire destroyed the original building in 1943
Evansville State Hospital, originally known as the Southern Indiana Hospital for the Insane, resides on 88 acres of land on the east side of Evansville, Indiana. The hospital was built on 160 acres of land on Newburgh Road, now known as Lincoln Avenue, between Evansville and Newburgh. Over time, more land was acquired, and the campus expanded to nearly 900 acres.
On February 9, 1943, a fire set by one of the attendants destroyed much of the original building. This fire resulted in devastating consequences, leaving at least two staff members dead and six patients missing. The attendant responsible for the fire was also among the deceased. The destruction caused by the fire left the hospital with no choice but to rebuild.
The original building, which was at the heart of the campus, had to be replaced. Later that year, a new "U"-shaped building, known as the Continuing Treatment Unit, was constructed to replace the destroyed structure. This new building marked a significant change in the layout and design of the hospital.
The fire of 1943 was a pivotal moment in the history of Evansville State Hospital, leading to not only physical changes but also potentially influencing the way the hospital operated. The new building symbolized a fresh start and a shift towards progress and modernization. However, it is important to note that, despite the changes, Evansville State Hospital remained largely a custodial institution, focusing on providing a tranquil and peaceful environment for its patients.
The hospital's extensive grounds, gardens, and self-sufficient operations, including a poultry operation, a dairy herd, and orchards, contributed to the peaceful atmosphere it offered to its patients. The patients' hard work in these areas was believed to be beneficial to their recovery, providing them with a sense of purpose and contribution to the hospital community.
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Frequently asked questions
The Evansville State Hospital is currently situated on 88 acres of land on the east side of Evansville, Indiana.
No. The hospital was originally built on 160 acres of land on Newburgh Road in 1890. Over time, more land was added, and the hospital's campus expanded to nearly 900 acres.
The grounds of the hospital are wooded and include a small lake, soccer and baseball fields, gardens, a poultry operation, a dairy herd, and orchards.
