Peoria State Hospital is a former mental hospital in Bartonville, Illinois, that was in operation from 1902 to 1973. During its operation, the hospital was known for its progressive approach to mental health care, but it was also plagued by reports of mistreatment and abuse of patients. Today, the hospital is considered one of the most haunted places in Illinois, with numerous reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena.

History of Peoria State Hospital

Peoria State Hospital was founded in 1902 as a state-of-the-art mental hospital with a mission to provide humane treatment to patients suffering from mental illness. The hospital was built on a 200-acre farm in Bartonville, Illinois, and was designed to provide a peaceful and therapeutic environment for patients. It was one of the first hospitals in the United States to adopt the “cottage plan” model of mental health care, which aimed to create a more home-like atmosphere for patients.

Under the leadership of its first superintendent, Dr. George A. Zeller, Peoria State Hospital became a national leader in the field of mental health care. Zeller emphasized the importance of occupational therapy, and the hospital provided a wide range of activities for patients, including farming, sewing, and woodworking. The hospital also had its own dairy farm, where patients could work with animals and participate in the production of dairy products.

However, despite its progressive approach to mental health care, Peoria State Hospital was not immune to the mistreatment and abuse that was prevalent in mental hospitals at the time. Reports of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate care were common, and there were also reports of patients being subjected to shock treatments, lobotomies, and other experimental treatments.

In the 1950s and 60s, the hospital began to decline, as advances in psychiatric medication made institutionalization less necessary. By the early 1970s, the hospital had closed its doors, and its patients were transferred to other facilities.

Hauntings and Paranormal Activity

Despite its closure, Peoria State Hospital remains a source of fascination for paranormal enthusiasts and ghost hunters. The hospital is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of former patients, and there have been numerous reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena.

One of the most famous ghost stories associated with Peoria State Hospital is the legend of “Old Book,” a former patient who was said to have died in the hospital in the 1940s. According to the legend, Old Book was a harmless and friendly patient who loved to read books. After his death, his ghost was said to haunt the hospital, appearing to patients and staff members and even moving books around the hospital’s library.

Other reported hauntings at Peoria State Hospital include sightings of ghostly apparitions in the hospital’s abandoned buildings and reports of disembodied voices and strange noises. Some visitors have reported feeling a sense of dread or unease when visiting the hospital, and there have been reports of objects moving on their own or strange smells that have no apparent source.

Paranormal Investigations

Peoria State Hospital has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations over the years, and it has been featured on several paranormal television shows, including Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. In 2019, the hospital was even the site of a live paranormal investigation that was broadcast on the Travel Channel.

Many of these investigations have produced compelling evidence of paranormal activity, including EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), anomalous readings on EMF (electromagnetic field) detectors, and ghostly apparitions captured on camera. However, skeptics argue that much of this evidence can be explained by natural phenomena or human error.

Conclusion

n conclusion, the Peoria State Hospital is a fascinating but dark part of American history that has left a lasting impact on the community and the nation as a whole. The mistreatment and abuse suffered by the patients at the hospital is a reminder of the importance of proper mental health care and the need for reform in the psychiatric field.

The reported hauntings and paranormal activity at the hospital also add another layer to the complex history of Peoria State. Whether you are a believer in the supernatural or simply interested in the history of mental health care, the hospital remains a popular destination for those seeking to learn more about the past and the present.

The efforts to preserve the remaining structures of the hospital and turn them into a museum and educational center are commendable and offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience and learn from the past. It is important that we continue to remember the patients who suffered and died at Peoria State and work towards a future where mental health care is both compassionate and effective.