Abandoned childrens asylum Archives - Abandoned Urban Exploring & Urbex Photography https://riddimryder.com/tag/abandoned-childrens-asylum/ RiddimRyder Explores & Photographs Abandoned & Forgotten Places Sat, 22 Feb 2025 00:00:57 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://i0.wp.com/riddimryder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-websitethumb.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Abandoned childrens asylum Archives - Abandoned Urban Exploring & Urbex Photography https://riddimryder.com/tag/abandoned-childrens-asylum/ 32 32 157258030 Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane https://riddimryder.com/willard-asylum-for-the-chronic-insane/ https://riddimryder.com/willard-asylum-for-the-chronic-insane/#comments Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://riddimryder.com/?p=23775 In the Autumn of 2023, Zenning with Zay & I took road trip with the Frist destination was Willard Asylum…

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In the Autumn of 2023, Zenning with Zay & I took road trip with the Frist destination was Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane!

Nestled deep within the picturesque upstate New York lies a place that holds a history shrouded in darkness and mystery. The abandoned Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane stands as a haunting reminder of the mental health practices of a bygone era. In this blog post, we will delve into the chilling history and eerie atmosphere of this asylum.



A Place of Hope Turned Nightmare

The Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane was established in 1869 as a beacon of hope for individuals suffering from mental illnesses. At the time, it was considered a progressive institution.  Offering humane treatment and therapy for the patients who sought solace within its walls. However, as the decades passed, it would go on to become the subject of disturbing tales of neglect and mistreatment.

The overcrowding of the facility and lack of funding led to deplorable conditions and questionable practices.  Including but not limited to the widespread use of lobotomies and electroshock therapy. The initial vision of compassionate care had crumbled, leaving a legacy of suffering in its wake.



A Dark Legacy Uncovered

In 1995, after decades of abandonment, the abandoned Willard Asylum became the focus of renewed interest when a remarkable discovery was made. Over 400 suitcases belonging to former patients were found hidden away in an attic. These suitcases contained a trove of personal belongings, letters, and artifacts.  This offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who had been confined within the institution.

These artifacts shed light on the stories of countless individuals who had once been hopeful residents.  But ultimately found themselves trapped in a nightmarish existence. The suitcases have since been meticulously cataloged and have even inspired an exhibit at the New York State Museum, giving voice to the forgotten and silenced.



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Exploring the Abandoned Asylum Today

Today, the Willard Asylum stands as a crumbling monument to a bygone era. Access to the site is restricted due to safety concerns. The overgrown courtyards and fading murals serve as a haunting backdrop to the asylum's grim past.  Virtually every other building on the sprawling complex was recently sealed up.

The asylum's history and its present state of disrepair have sparked countless rumors of paranormal activity. Some claim to have heard ghostly whispers in the darkened hallways.  Others report inexplicable cold spots and unsettling apparitions. Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, there is no denying the palpable sense of history that lingers within these crumbling walls.



Preserving the Past

Efforts are underway to preserve the history and memory of the Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane. Organizations and individuals have advocated for the site's protection and restoration, recognizing the importance of remembering the past to prevent its repetition.

In conclusion, the abandoned Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane serves as a chilling reminder of the complexities of mental health care throughout history. Its history, from a place of hope to one of despair, is a stark testament to the need for compassionate and ethical treatment of individuals facing mental illness. The asylum's legacy may be one of darkness, but it also stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who seek to remember and honor the lives of those who suffered within its walls.



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]]> https://riddimryder.com/willard-asylum-for-the-chronic-insane/feed/ 3 23775 Abandoned JN Adam Memorial Hospital https://riddimryder.com/abandoned-jn-adam-memorial-hospital/ https://riddimryder.com/abandoned-jn-adam-memorial-hospital/#comments Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:27:11 +0000 https://riddimryder.com/?p=21799 The Abandoned JN Adam Memorial Hospital has always been a favourite spot of mine. I had explored it twice already…

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The Abandoned JN Adam Memorial Hospital has always been a favourite spot of mine. I had explored it twice already & was excited to take Zenning with Zay to check it out! I was shocked at how much had changed from my last visit.  We also met up with our friends Freaktography & Motley Kiwi!





In the early 1900s, Dr. John H. Pryor of Buffalo suggested the construction of a hospital for in-patient tuberculosis (TB) treatment in New York. On March 25, 1909, the New York Legislature passed a bill authorizing the city of Buffalo to build, equip, and run such a hospital. After an extensive search for a proper setting, the Buffalo City Council selected the hillside location in Perrysburg where J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital now stands. The hospital is named after Mayor James Nobel Adam who purchased the 293-acre site and donated it to the city. At the time of purchase, there was only one small building on the property called "Tipperary", the original sanitarium.

Tipperary was established in a shack in 1903, and Bula M. Lincoln, the first patient, was the niece of the superintendent of the nearby Tomas Indian School. The closest TB treatment center was in Ray Brook, now Gowanda, New York, which was quite far from the Indian School. With the success of the fresh-air cure at Tipperary, Dr. Pryor's friend, Mayor Adam, realized the need for a TB institution close to Buffalo. The Perrysburg site was selected for its pure lake breezes and the cures occurring at Tipperary.



Construction of the hospital began with a $160,000 contract issued on October 13, 1910. Upon completion of the original buildings, the total cost was slightly over $300,000. J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital formally opened on November 12, 1912, with a capacity of 140 patients. It had two wings, a fully modernized kitchen, and a resplendent dining room. Over the years, further construction added extensions on each wing and numerous additional buildings, increasing the capacity to nearly 420 beds.



Mayor Adam bought and donated the beautiful circular dome window from the Temple of Music Auditorium at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo for the enhancement of the dining room. This room, with its perfect acoustics and lighting, was just one of the rooms built to allow sunshine to cure patients' TB.

Heat for the buildings was provided by a steam system, and a new power plant was built in 1923, which served the facility until 1960 when new boilers were installed, and gas replaced coal as the main fuel. Water supply was always abundant, with a one-million-gallon reservoir built in 1923-1924, bringing the total capacity to 1.5 million gallons. Ten working wells on the grounds could produce twice as much water as the hospital could use.

J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital served as a TB treatment center from 1912 to 1960, owned and operated by the City of Buffalo for its first 36 years. It had only two directors, Dr. Clarence Hyde, and his former assistant, Dr. Horace LoGrasso. In 1948, the hospital was turned over to the state and became one of the seven state-operated tuberculosis centers, continuing in this capacity until June 1960 when it closed down. It reopened in September of the same year as a state mental hygiene facility, functioning as part of Gowanda State Hospital until 1962 when it became a division of West Seneca State School.

In 1972, J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital became an independent facility in the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene, operating under the title J.N. Adam Developmental Center. in 2005 a logging company lost a bid to use the land.  The "Friends of J. N. Adam Historic Landmark and Forest" made attempts to preserve it but it was too little, too late.  Today the building is terrible condition but still interesting to explore!

This was my third visit here & I still loved exploring the Abandoned JN Adam Memorial Hospital!

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]]> https://riddimryder.com/abandoned-jn-adam-memorial-hospital/feed/ 1 21799 Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital https://riddimryder.com/abandoned-psychiatric-hospital/ https://riddimryder.com/abandoned-psychiatric-hospital/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2019 21:53:48 +0000 https://riddimryder.com/?p=2671 The Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital was certainly an epic adventure!  This was one of the first locations of an epic…

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The Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital was certainly an epic adventure!  This was one of the first locations of an epic road trip with Zenning with Zay!

After 5 years of construction this massive school-hospital opened its doors in 1951.  This multi-million dollar facility was to serve as a home as well as a school for some 2,400 developmentally challenged children.  Described as a "haven of happiness", the institute would become the home for children who's minds will never mature.  Trained staff would work & play with the children creating an institutionalized world where they could enjoy life.



When opened, the facility boasted 5 miles of connecting corridors, over a mile of underground tunnels, some 10,000 doors & 12,000 windows!  The facility is absolutely massive!  The plans included a fully equipped hospital, infirmary, laundry, power plant, workshops, administrative buildings classrooms & an auditorium.



The facility operated for close to 60 years until the government began to it, along with many others down due to a facility initiative that was passed in 2004.  The initiative was about de-institutionalizing patients & relying on community care.  Although it seemed like a great idea, many of the former patients were put out on the streets to fend for themselves which lead to homelessness & incarceration as many of these people suffer from disabilities & coping skills for real world scenarios.  The facility today is 95% repurposed with many companies now operating out of it.  There is really only one building left on the site that is abandoned.  Its a large building with plenty of excellent photo opportunities however one much not forget the people that once inhabited it.



Abandoned Institutional locations such as the Abandoned Ontario Psychiatric Hospital always make for amazing explores!!

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