Norwich State Hospital In Connecticut Was Among The Most Haunted Places In The Nation

Old psychiatric hospitals can be terrifying places. In the past, society didn’t have the kindest methods of dealing with people suffering from mental illness — many treatments now considered outdated (like lobotomies and electroshock therapy) were everyday occurrences. As a result, it isn’t uncommon for mental hospitals to be the subject of rumors of ghosts and spirits. If you believe in the paranormal, places that institutionalized the mentally ill for decades seem likely to be haunted, and Connecticut is not immune to such rumors. In the 1900s, the Constitution State was home to the infamous Norwich State Hospital. While most of the buildings associated with the hospital are now demolished, the area is said to be among the most haunted places in Connecticut. In fact, it’s not hard to imagine that spirits could still linger around the old grounds. Come along as we tell you everything we know about it...if you dare!

The Norwich State Hospital opened in 1904 and operated until 1996. At its peak in the 1950s, the hospital housed over 3,000 patients.

The hospital treated a variety of patients on its large campus. There were wards for the mentally ill, violent, geriatric, adolescent, and epileptic, as well as a ward for patients with tuberculosis.

Over 40 buildings were housed on the 70-acre property. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its status as a prominent mental hospital.

So many people lived and died within these walls that even skeptics would admit there could be spirits here.

The hospital's auditorium was a massive, beautiful structure.

A surprising amount of equipment was left abandoned in the hospital after it closed.

Underground tunnels allowed patients to be transported from building to building.

Paranormal investigators reported a great deal of ghostly activity throughout the facility, particularly in these tunnels. The television series "Ghost Hunters" visited in 2010. The show portrayed mysteriously moving objects and floating orbs.

Over the years, all of the buildings associated with Norwich State Hospital have been demolished. Not much stands nowadays and there is little to commemorate the history of this important spot.

As you can imagine, before the buildings were razed, the site attracted many illegal trespassers and ghost hunters. Visitors to the site reported feeling cold chills and sensing electromagnetic pulses.

What are your thoughts on Norwich State Hospital? Do you believe the hospital could have been haunted? How does it rank among the most haunted places in Connecticut? Ever seen any ghosts in CT? What's your favorite haunted place in CT? Share your theories with us!

Can’t get enough of haunted Connecticut? Check out this haunted Connecticut road trip.

Looking for more interesting places in Connecticut to explore? Pay a visit to Trusted Tours and Attractions, where you’ll find plenty of options for day trips in Connecticut.

For those who enjoy outdoor adventures, be sure to read A Bit Of An Unexpected Wonder, Few People Know That Part Of The Appalachian Trail Is In Connecticut.

Are you perhaps thinking about taking a Connecticut vacay soon with your friends or family? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.

If you’re still in the mood for more Connecticut adventures, take a look at this video: