The Remnants Of This Abandoned Prison In Virginia Are Hauntingly Beautiful

What is about abandoned buildings that makes them so alluring? They may be slowly deteriorating, but they are undeniably beautiful. There are many abandoned buildings in Virginia, so seeing one is not altogether surprising. But every now and then, you’ll come across one that is particularly noticeable. For those who have seen the Western State Hospital in Staunton, you know this to be true. To be technical, Western State Hospital is not abandoned, but it did stand vacant for quite some time. Today the buildings have been renovated into condominiums. If you haven’t heard the story behind this historic landmark, prepare for chills.

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Western State Lunatic Asylum (the name changed to Western State Hospital in 1894) opened its doors in 1828 in hopes of treating the mentally ill. The asylum closed in 1969, but then reopened as the Staunton Correctional Center, serving as a medium-security penitentiary for men. If ever there was a place to be haunted, this is it.

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There was a harsh division between the patients that stayed there: essentially the curable and the incurable. In other words, some of the patients were there for life. Some of the diagnoses ranged from "hard study" to "religious excitement," terms that would no longer apply.

It was a common belief that beautiful architecture could cure mental illness, therefore asylums were some of the most beautiful structures in the state. This explains the lavish design of the building, which was orchestrated by Thomas Jefferson's personal architect, Thomas Blackburn.

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i threw a guitar at him./flickr

Under the new director Dr. DeJarnette, the asylum adopted a darker philosophy. From 1905 to 1943 it was believed that mental illness was hereditary and those who suffered needed to be sterilized. The ghastly procedures that followed demonstrate a sharp contrast to the asylum's early days, where patients could freely roam the grounds and healing gardens.

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After the second World War, the amount of patients increased significantly, and a second building was constructed to house everyone. As the "New Site" filled in, the original building emptied out and was eventually converted into the Staunton Correctional Center.

kathryn/flickr

The prison only remained open for a few decades before it closed down and the building was vacant. During this time, visitors reported hearing moans, whispers, and footsteps around the property.

i threw a guitar at him./flickr

These photographs show the building before the renovations were made. This spiral staircase must have been disorienting for patients and prisoners alike, especially with the contrast of the bright green wallpaper.

kathryn/flickr

The Department of Corrections more or less abandoned the complex in 2003, and it is currently in the midst of development for luxury condominiums and shops. It's truly fascinating how the same structure has been used for such a variety of purposes.

Staunton’s Western State Hospital has a complex history that allows us to be grateful for the advanced understanding of mental illnesses treatment we have today. While there were many patients who endured suffering and loneliness within its walls, the building stands as a testament to the original desire to create a healing space for those inside. Have you visited Western State Hospital or know anything else about its unusual history?