August 27th, 2008
Anna State Hospital
A few weeks ago, one Jennifer Shipp emailed me pictures of Anna State Hospital (now Choate Mental Health Center) in Anna, Illinois. I was surprised to see that there’s actually a bit of its Kirkbride building left. I thought it had been completely torn down, but I was wrong. I apologize for misleading anyone regarding the status of this Kirkbride and have dutifully updated the Kirkbride lists.
As you can see from the pictures below, two stories of the administration center and a piece of wing off either side remain. I was told a fire (one of many in this hospital’s history) destroyed the upper floors. It’s sad to see the building so diminished, with only faint hints at its former grandeur. But I guess it’s better than nothing.
It’s really surprising they didn’t just pull the whole thing down. Glad they didn’t.
I’d like to second that, WSH, and applaud them for saving what they could of this historic building. You sure don’t see that every day.
Rumor was for years the admin section had managed to survive many changes, these photos prove it. One of the few pieces of Kirkbride in the state left. Thanks to Jennifer Shipp!
I was a patient at Anna when I was 23-25, comprising 2 admissions. One for 8 months in 1983 and for 11 months in 1984-85.
Things were pretty decent when I was a patient, no physical, emotional abuse. No chemical restraints or misuse of physical restraints or the time-out room.
I spent most of my stays on Dogwood Upper.
I kept in contact with the psychologist I had (David Warshauer PhD) for about 20 years after I left. I wrote or called him once a year. I heard theough him that the hospital really went downhill as far as providing adequate services went. He quit and went to practice somewhere else.
I was also in 3 other Illinois state hospitals between ages 13 and 25. All 3 of them have been closed, and to all of them I say Good Riddance. They were full of patient rights violations.
I grew up at Anna State Hospital. My dad was the superintendent for approximately 30 years from 1950. The two top floors were removed in the 60s. Our family lived on the second floor and spent the summer moving from one location to the other depending on where the wrecking crew was working. Floors had been condemned but had not burned this time!When dad started there were 2000 patients. At the time of his retirement there were 400 clients.
George W. Hines, my great grandmother’s brother is buried at Anna State Hosp on 12 Jul 1946. He died 11 Jul 1946 — Road Dist 5, Union Co, Illinois. He resided at Salem, Marion Co, Illinois. If anyone knows anything about him, please let me know.
I think you people need to come and get my husband because he is out of his mind hitting on me
My Great Grandmother died there June 12, 1921 Her name was Daisy Murphy. How can I found out more information about her stay at this hospital?
My natural mother, Donna Joyce Hogan, was a patient in the early 80’s. I am trying to find out info. on her and my father. If anyone knows anything, please let me know.
My graandfather Charles D. Hill Died there on 11 January 1934. The death Certificate showed that he was admitted on 21 Dec 1933 and died of a lung absess on above date. Was it a practice to take in poverty stricken people who had physical problems, or were the patients stricyly takdn there for Mental Illness? If anyone can tell me more about my grandfather please contact me at jimmiehill@q.com.
In 1999 I did one of my internships at Choate Mental health, working with children who displayed precursors of mental illness; only a few of the many buildings were being used as much of the campus was so outdated that it was not fiscally feasible to bring it up to modern standards (rewiring, removal of asbestos, modern plumbing, etc. The staff was really concerned about the patients, but they were really overworked and underpaid. I would walk around the campus at times, to clear my head and to enjoy the preserved buildings. The preservation of the various styles of historic building was rather good. Unfortunately, most of the dorms were empty, often used for storage or just abandoned. BUT, if you are in Anna, you should take the time to drive around the campus just to see the outstanding stone and brick work!
I also worked in an adult mental health facility in Anna, and most of our patients had spent time in Anna. By then they were a “revolving door” facility; take in delusional or impaired clients, medicate them for a few weeks, then turning them out on their own until they become a community nuisance again. It was a real shame in that fact, but having worked for several years in this field, I have seen this more than not. This is how your government saves money; do not rehab, just medicate and get on with it. The onus of this issue is NOT with the staff, but more with our representatives and government agencies. There is little or no funding available to our most vulnerable populations, and with the current economy, I fear it will get worse.
Enough preaching – if you get the chance to view the campus at Anna, do so. It is an architect’s wet-dream!
About the above post – I re-read it and realized that when I was talking about anyone being in Anna, visiting “Anna”,I fell back into my childhood habit of calling “Choate Mental Health” just by the name “Anna”. I grew up in Southern Illinois and everyone at that time (and even today to some extent)called Choate Mental Institute simply “Anna”. If you were sent to “Anna”, your had been sent to Choate, and everyone knew that this meant that you were mentally ill. Sorry for any confusion.
Steve
P.S. interestingly, I went to college with a woman who had spent her entire life in Anna and she had never heard of the above mentioned confusion. I mentioned that I had a client in “Anna” (meaning Choate) in class one day and it totally confused her. When I explained, she told me she had always thought that every small town had mentally ill or developmentally delayed people standing on the streets during the day!
It goes to show that reality is dependent upon your experiences!!
Any information would be helpful. I am having difficulty with my family history as I do not have information on her parents or siblings. Any help would be appreciated.
Wil Raynor
1312 Oak Tree Place
Manhattan, Ks. 66503
My great-grandmother died there on Mar. 3, 1913. Any information concerning the reason for her being admitted and the circumstances of her death would be greatly appreaciated.
I am trying to find information on my grandfather Ben McRaven who died in 1925 at Anna State Hospital
My great grandmother, Nora Ann Norman died on 3/28/1932 at the Anna State Hospital, she was 33 years old. The family never talked about her, but I know she was buried in Marion, IL, and I know her parents were Henry Willima Norman and Harriott Elizabeth Groves (or Grover). She had 10 siblings. I would appreciate any information on her. Thank you! I can be reached at 1733 Tigerville Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.
Carla, You’re father was superintendent at Anna State Hospital from 1950 for 30 years? I need to ask if you knew any of the patients there and if so, did you know a boy named Thomas Swinford. I’ve been searching for my brother-in-law for years and am not receiving much help. If you could let me know, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
I was wondering if Anna State Hospital is still standing. If so do they mind people walking around and taking pictures of the wonderful old buildings? I’ll say a prayer for all those searching for information on family and friends.
I am looking for information on Silas Book, a former patient, who died around 1925, possibly at Anna State Hospital. This is my grandfather who I never knew. I have no information on his other family member’s names. I would appreciate any information.
Please reply to pkaboo1@aol.com.
Thank you.
I am looking for information my great grandmother, Louisa (Moore)Belcher, she entered the hospital in 1898 and was still there in 1910 my grandfather married shortly thereafter, I am sure she died there and there is no record I can find of her death.If anyone finds anything, contact me at ptdraper@aol.com I’m 73 and I would like to find out something before I die.
I am looking for more information on my great grandfather Walter Russell. There was a rumor that he may have been a patient that passed away at this facility in the late 1930’s to early 1940s. Please contact me at jenna_devroy@yahoo.com
I am looking for information on a grandmother that is buried at Illinois State Hospital (Anna) lot 326 grave 311. Her name was Charity Shelby Kerley. She died 12-25-1894 – born circa 1829
Please share any information you have on her.
I’m looking for information on my great grandmother Lula Neely who dies on Feb 23, 1923 in Anna State hospital. Any information would help about this hospital in the 1920’s. Pleas contact me at Tnysmi@comcast.net. Thank you
Hi I recently began cleaning out my garage and I stumbled upon my father’s rubber maid box filled with numerous photos/post cards of Anna State Hospital ranging from 1903-1913 I believe my great uncle and aunt worked there. There last name was Toler. Charles, Edward, and (Lew?) Toler. I’d be more than willing to send copies of these pictures in exchange for any info on my relatives. Thanks!
Hi, Chris. Sounds like a nice find. Wish I could see the photos, but unfortunately I can’t provide any information on your relatives. Someone may come along that can tell you something though. You might want to try a visit to the Illinois state archives. http://www.newberry.org/records-state-mental-hospitals-illinois-state-archives-part-1 That web page is geared more toward people looking for information about former patients of hospitals, but I’m sure you could find some information about employees too.
I was once a patient at Anna, Illinois State Hospital. In 1986 I was locked up there without a trial for turning myself in after seeing a person through himself into a fire. I was detained for 60 days without ever being read my memorandum rights. However after a few days of the stay were in I was tried by a courtroom in which the prosecuting attorney told the judge in fair hearing of all there concerned that, “Your honor, I want this man locked up for what he believes in. Since then I have been also incarcerated in other institutions time and again based primarily on what I believed in. Over the years I have written and published 7 books. Most of them from the Fritz House group home in Paulding, OH after a stay in Toledo Northcoast Behavioral Center that is now named something else. My autobiography Where North Meets South and East Meets West by Timothy Louis Baker features all of the hardships I’ve endured of my life endangered and pursued by a syndicate of law enforcement officials conspiring with their ruffian henchmen and how I have escaped death. Also there are the many various miracles that have occurred to me including the living, waking, physical ascension I had into Heaven in Colorado in 1989. If you’ve read this far you may be interested in buying my book about my life.
I am looking for information about my great-great grandmother, Susan Addie Dunning, who was admitted sometime after the 1930’s census. I am looking for her death date and where she is buried. Thanks for your help in this matter.
I was born in Anna, IL. When I tell people that, I always add “the city hospital.” My mother is 91 and still living. Iwill ask her about some of these names. Not sure if she will remember anything.
What is the require proceedure to have medical information realeased? Where do I send the request for the release of that information? My grandmother died in 1926.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Laura
I am looking for information on my great grand aunt Sarah Melvina Guess. She died in 1950. The family members say she died at the institution. I am trying to find if she may be buried there and if there is an exact date of death and birthd date. Thank you for all of your help.
I too spent a short time in Anna/Choate, the staff does all possible to take care of the many in need of it. I must say w,o that place, well.. Il. needs it !!
I had the disadvantage of finding a much loved, admired bro deseased, and that is why I needed to go. I will also tell you, those looking for dead relatives, there are some stones still ledgable, otherwise, lost cause. I spent time in early spring and there are so many beautiful tulips that dot the landscape at the cemetary. That being said, best to not disturb those there.
Hi Carla – you probably won’t be back to this page but I can’t resist. My father worked at the State Hospital from about 1960 to the mid 1970’s. We lived on the 2nd floor of the main building down the big hall from Carla and her family. I grew up at the state hospital, and when I graduated from AJ, left and never looked back. Yeah the place was a community back then, but it was an asylum, locked wards and all that goes with it. Nice architecture but haunted with brain pain.
My father James W.Davis MD. worked there in the approx. time frame of 1936 to 1938. We lived on the campus in hospital housing. Believe my father was not happy during that time as he saw patient abuse was rampant and he constantly was fighting the administration over these abuses.
He left to run the hospital in West Frankfort with his partner.
When WWll came along he enlisted in the Navy as a Naval flight surgeon and served a distinguished career in both WWII and the Korean War.
i was a patient 1965with severe postparteum depression. I believe it was 1990 i had the priveledge and honor to return and speak and sing for the patients there. kathy brisco was the chaplain at that time. what a kick in the head to the one that makes us think that were nothing. I hope to return this summer and be able to share the miracles i have had in my life annalizabeth simply his ministry
I have recently found out that my Grandmother was put here in 1979 and she died here in 1989. Her name was Laverne Ruby Hart Gulledge – does anyone have any information on her??