A lot has changed since these four mental hospitals were first opened back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During those times the mentally ill were often treated with disregard, disrespect and neglect. Many of the treatments that were used in these facilities to attempt to “cure” mental illness are things we consider incredibly inhumane practices today. But back then, it was standard operating procedure.
If you have a fascination with the past then take a look at the history of these four Southern California mental institutions as they all have quite an interesting story.
- Former building of the Camarillo State Mental Hospital
Wikimedia Commons Camarillo State Hospital served as a psychiatric facility for 61 years from 1936 to 1991. The hospital received national attention for being one of the first mental institutions to develop therapy for disorders that had previously been thought of as untreatable, such as schizophrenia. As the need for these types of treatments grew, the number of patients admitted to Camarillo State Hospital also grew. At its peak, the hospital had 7,000 patients; up from less than 1,000 when it first opened. CSH was eventually accused of patient neglect and patient abuse related to the treatments they were conducting including lobotomies, electric shock and isolation in restraints. These accusations, along with a decrease in patient numbers, influenced its eventual closure in 1991. After sitting abandoned for quite some time, the building was converted in 2002 to what is currently part of the California State University campus.
flickr/Grendl One of the buildings from the former Camarillo State Mental Hospital that is in use today as part of the California State University campus.
- The former site of the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey
flickr/Don Barrett Also referred to as the LA County Poor Farm and the Hollydale Mental Hospital. Opened in 1888, it became well known for being its own functional “town” with onsite amenities including a mini zoo, working farm and its own post office. It was also a World War II Army base.
flickr/Don Barrett By the 1980s it fell into disrepair and the location was closed down.
- Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk
Wikimedia Commons Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk opened in 1916. In 1975 this facility was featured in a documentary that made claims that the hospital was drugging its patients with heavy doses of sedatives. A year later the hospital received more attention when it became the subject of a news story on patient deaths. It has since made significant changes to improve its standard of care. Metropolitan State Hospital’s most famous patient that I’m aware of is Marilyn Monroe’s biological mother. It’s believed that she was admitted to this hospital after a mental breakdown; it is also where she later died due to natural causes. Marilyn Monroe made regular visits to this location to see her mom. In February 2016, Metropolitan State Hospital celebrated its 100 year anniversary.
- Patton State Hospital
Creative Commons/California Historical Society Collection/USC digital library The Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino was opened in 1893. Originally named the Southern California Asylum for the Insane and Inebriate, it was renamed in 1927 after Harry Patton who was a member of the first board of directors. Although it had an official name change, over the years it became known to the public as simply “The Insane Asylum.” By 1898 the hospital was so overcrowded that the staff was unable to properly care for its patients. Between the years of 1893 and 1934 it is believed that over 2,000 patients died onsite and were buried on the hospital grounds.
It’s interesting to hear about the history of these buildings and find out the stories behind them. It makes me realize how much progress we’ve made in our society in how we engage and treat mental illness. Have you heard any other interesting facts about these locations that are worth noting?
Wikimedia Commons
Camarillo State Hospital served as a psychiatric facility for 61 years from 1936 to 1991. The hospital received national attention for being one of the first mental institutions to develop therapy for disorders that had previously been thought of as untreatable, such as schizophrenia. As the need for these types of treatments grew, the number of patients admitted to Camarillo State Hospital also grew. At its peak, the hospital had 7,000 patients; up from less than 1,000 when it first opened. CSH was eventually accused of patient neglect and patient abuse related to the treatments they were conducting including lobotomies, electric shock and isolation in restraints. These accusations, along with a decrease in patient numbers, influenced its eventual closure in 1991. After sitting abandoned for quite some time, the building was converted in 2002 to what is currently part of the California State University campus.
flickr/Grendl
One of the buildings from the former Camarillo State Mental Hospital that is in use today as part of the California State University campus.
flickr/Don Barrett
Also referred to as the LA County Poor Farm and the Hollydale Mental Hospital. Opened in 1888, it became well known for being its own functional “town” with onsite amenities including a mini zoo, working farm and its own post office. It was also a World War II Army base.
By the 1980s it fell into disrepair and the location was closed down.
Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk opened in 1916. In 1975 this facility was featured in a documentary that made claims that the hospital was drugging its patients with heavy doses of sedatives. A year later the hospital received more attention when it became the subject of a news story on patient deaths. It has since made significant changes to improve its standard of care. Metropolitan State Hospital’s most famous patient that I’m aware of is Marilyn Monroe’s biological mother. It’s believed that she was admitted to this hospital after a mental breakdown; it is also where she later died due to natural causes. Marilyn Monroe made regular visits to this location to see her mom. In February 2016, Metropolitan State Hospital celebrated its 100 year anniversary.
Creative Commons/California Historical Society Collection/USC digital library
The Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino was opened in 1893. Originally named the Southern California Asylum for the Insane and Inebriate, it was renamed in 1927 after Harry Patton who was a member of the first board of directors. Although it had an official name change, over the years it became known to the public as simply “The Insane Asylum.” By 1898 the hospital was so overcrowded that the staff was unable to properly care for its patients. Between the years of 1893 and 1934 it is believed that over 2,000 patients died onsite and were buried on the hospital grounds.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
