Logan Reid
Broughton Hospital, formerly known as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum, is a psychiatric hospital located in Morganton, North Carolina. The hospital was established in the late 19th century to serve the western region of the state, specifically catering to the `white insane population. Over the years, Broughton Hospital has faced financial difficulties, staffing shortages, and changing public attitudes towards mental health. Today, the hospital continues to operate, serving approximately 4,000 patients annually and offering treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. With its historic architecture and reputation for paranormal occurrences, Broughton Hospital has become a notable landmark in North Carolina.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Construction | 1877 |
| Year of Operation | 1883 |
| Founder | Dr. Patrick Livingston Murphy |
| Location | Morganton, North Carolina |
| Current Status | Operational |
| Number of Patients | 4,000 per year |
| Number of Employees | 1,200 |
| Annual Operating Budget | $98 million |
| Average Cost per Day | $583 |
| Patient Admission Criteria | Mentally ill or dually diagnosed with substance abuse and dangerous to themselves or others |
| Patient Admission Process | Financial details are discussed, and hospitalization is determined by qualified professionals |
| Patient Rights | Protected by the Human Rights Committee |
| Services | Direct care, regional education, and professional training |
| Architecture | Gothic, castle-like structure with a central building and staggered wards for fresh air |
| Cemetery | On-site for patients who passed away or considered the asylum their home |
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What You'll Learn
Broughton Hospital's history and architecture
Broughton Hospital, formerly known as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum, is a psychiatric hospital in Morganton, North Carolina. It was established in 1883 to serve the western half of the state, and was initially named the State Hospital at Morganton. The hospital was renamed in 1959 after former governor J. Melville Broughton. Today, Broughton Hospital is the largest of three psychiatric hospitals operated by the State of North Carolina within the Department of Health and Human Services. It serves approximately 4,000 patients per year and employs about 1,200 staff members, with a $98 million annual operating budget.
The hospital's Main Building, also known as the Avery Building, was designed by architect Samuel Sloan and built in 1877. It was constructed on a hilltop outside Morganton and features a gothic design with a large central building and staggered wings to allow fresh air to flow through each ward. The building has tunnels running underneath that were once used to move patients between wards out of the public eye. The Main Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and the Broughton Hospital Historic District, which encompasses 60 contributing buildings and one contributing site, was listed in 1987.
In the early days of the hospital, patients participated in the construction and maintenance of the hospital's roads and grounds, which eventually encompassed over 300 acres. The hospital was nearly self-sufficient, with a farm area that included a dairy, vineyard, and greenhouses, all staffed by patients. During the 1920s and 1930s, the patient-to-physician ratio was extremely high, at 300-to-1 and 500-to-1, respectively. Attendants usually slept in the same wards as patients until further expansion in the 1940s.
Broughton Hospital has faced challenges over the years, including financial difficulties during the Great Depression and allegations of abuse in the 1940s that led to an investigation and reform. Despite these difficulties, the hospital has continued to operate and now offers specialty units for various populations, including deaf individuals and children. It also serves as a regional educational facility, providing professional training for clinical psychology interns, residents in psychiatry, and students in various healthcare fields.
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Patient life and treatment
During its early years, the asylum faced challenges with overcrowding, reflecting the demand for mental health services in the region. The patient-to-physician ratio in the 1920s was reported to be 300-to-1, and this ratio further increased to 500-to-1 in the 1930s. This placed significant strain on the hospital staff, including attendants and nurses who worked intensive hours with limited time off. The hospital's census topped 3,500 patients by the 1940s, and expansion became necessary to accommodate the growing numbers.
The design of the main building, also known as the ""Avery Building," was intended to contribute to the treatment of mental illness. Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride, a proponent of "moral treatment," designed the building with a central structure and staggered wards on each side to ensure fresh air circulation. This architectural style, known as "Kirkbride Buildings," emphasised the importance of the building's structure in promoting healing and a calm environment.
The hospital utilised the colony system, establishing a farm area with a dairy, vineyard, and greenhouses staffed by patients. This approach moved towards self-sufficiency, with patients contributing to the functioning of the hospital. However, public attitudes towards mental illness shifted dramatically after World War I, impacting the hospital's operations and funding during the Great Depression.
In more recent times, Broughton Hospital has continued to provide mental health services to approximately 4,000 patients annually, serving the westernmost counties in North Carolina. The hospital offers specialty units for specific populations, including deaf individuals and children aged 5 to 12. Psychiatric admission is based on an individual's mental illness, substance abuse, and potential danger to themselves or others. The hospital also serves as a regional educational facility, providing professional training for clinical psychology interns, residents in psychiatry, and students in various healthcare fields.
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Staffing and funding
Broughton Hospital, originally known as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum, was designed by architect Samuel Sloan and opened in 1883. The hospital currently serves approximately 4,000 patients per year with an average cost per day of $583. It employs approximately 1,200 staff members and has a $98 million annual operating budget.
During the 1920s, the patient-to-physician ratio at Broughton Hospital was 300-to-1, and by the 1930s, this had increased to almost 500-to-1. Hours for attendants and nurses were intensive, and time off was sparse. Attendants usually slept in the same wards as patients until further expansion in the 1940s. By that time, the hospital's census topped 3,500 patients.
The period from the 1980s through the 1990s was particularly challenging for Broughton Hospital. The hospital faced increased costs and oversight from various organizations, leading to severe budget problems. In December 1992, the Broughton Hospital Foundation was formed with the goal of enhancing the lives of patients through donations, endowments, and activities.
Today, Broughton Hospital continues to serve the western thirty-seven counties of North Carolina as part of the state's system of care and treatment for individuals with mental illness. It is one of three psychiatric hospitals operated by the State of North Carolina within the Department of Health and Human Services under the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
In addition to patient care, Broughton Hospital serves as a regional educational facility, providing professional training for clinical psychology interns, residents in psychiatry, and students in various healthcare fields.
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Paranormal activity and local legends
Broughton Hospital in Morganton, North Carolina, has a long history as a psychiatric hospital for the mentally ill, formerly known as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum. The hospital was built in 1877 and opened its doors in 1883.
The hospital's main building, known as the "Avery Building", has a distinctive castle-like structure. Its design, by architect Samuel Sloan, was based on the idea that the building itself would be a form of treatment for mental illness. The immense structure has a big central building with staggered wards on either side, allowing fresh air to flow through.
The hospital has a dark and eerie past, with stories of paranormal activity and local legends. One local legend suggests that ghosts from the 1920s, when the patient-to-physician ratio was 300-to-1, still haunt the hospital. The hospital's cemetery also adds to its haunting history, with many patients buried there due to the cost and difficulty of transporting their remains elsewhere.
Adding to the intrigue, the hospital has tunnels running underneath that were once used to move patients between wards discreetly. Some of the old wards are now closed off, with dark and empty windows that can be unsettling. A nurse who worked the night shift for 17 years has even written two books about her paranormal experiences at the hospital.
Today, Broughton Hospital continues to operate as a psychiatric facility, serving approximately 4,000 patients annually. It is one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in North Carolina and is known for its beauty and unique architecture. While visitors are not allowed inside, they can drive through the grounds and admire the historic exterior.
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Broughton Hospital today
Broughton Hospital, previously known as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum, is a psychiatric hospital located in Morganton, North Carolina. It is one of three psychiatric hospitals operated by the State of North Carolina within the Department of Health and Human Services under the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. The hospital serves the westernmost thirty-seven counties in the state, which have a population of over three million, or about 36.4% of the state's total population.
The hospital was established in 1883 as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum, specifically for the ""white insane" living in the western half of the state. It was renamed the State Hospital at Morganton in 1890 and retained this name until 1959, when it was changed to Broughton Hospital, named after World War II Governor J. Melville Broughton. The hospital's main building was designed by architect Samuel Sloan and constructed in 1877. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Today, Broughton Hospital serves approximately 4,000 patients per year with an average cost per day of $583. It employs approximately 1,200 staff members and has a $98 million annual operating budget. The hospital offers admission to patients on a voluntary basis or by judicial commitment.
Broughton Hospital has undergone significant changes since its early days as an asylum. In the 1960s, educational programs were established, religious services were incorporated, and the hospital continued to expand through affiliated local community health centres. This was part of an effort to de-institutionalize individuals with mental illness and provide treatment in local settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Broughton Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in North Carolina. It was built in 1877 and opened in 1883 as the Western North Carolina Insane Asylum.
Broughton Hospital is still in operation today, serving approximately 4,000 patients per year. It is the largest of the three psychiatric hospitals operated by the State of North Carolina within the Department of Health and Human Services under the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
Broughton Hospital is on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of North Carolina's historical masterpieces. While the hospital is still in operation, visitors can drive through the grounds.
