April 28th, 2009
Traverse City State Hospital Memories
Since the forum receives so little traffic, I thought it might be a good idea to point out a recent series of posts by someone who spent several years at Traverse City State Hospital. Ronl, became a resident of the hospital in 1965 when he was 12 years old, and his memories (both good and bad) make for fascinating reading.
You can find them here: Forgotten Children – Hall 18, Hall 17.
I’ve been following this very closely in the forum and have been somewhat fascinated. A big thanks to Ronl for sharing all of his memories with us, both good and bad.
Ditto to what WSH said. I’ve been checking the forum almost every day, sometimes more than once, for new posts. I even posted a blog and link at my site to Ronl’s forum topic.
Phil, what is your site?
WSH,
It’s called City on the Hill, it’s dedicated to Harrisburg State Hospital in Pennsylvania.
http://hsh.thomas-industriesinc.com/
Thanks to all of you who shared your memories good and bad. I was just to the State Hospital and was fascinated and frightened by it all at the same time. I imagined what might’ve happened inside those buildings over the 100 years the hospital was open. I read your accounts with the utmost respect and I laughed and cried along with you. You have deeply touched me with your memories.
Many thanks to ronl for his bravery in going back in his mind to share his experiences with us. I only wish that none of these people had to experience this and hopefull they will be able to go on with their lives. Many thanks to all who have contributed to this site. ronl I wish I could help with your book, I am not a writer, but hopefull one will come alone and you will be able to cleanse your mind of your past.
I was also a patient in the mid sixties and it was because my mother did not want me after my dad died. She beat me all the time so the court system took me away many times but always sent me back home. it would be good for a week or so then the beatings would start again. She learned that she couyuld sign me into the state hospital and leave me there. I remember the long drive way that never seemed to end. I remember waiting in ward c while I was being checked in and I was horrified by the patients.Did my mom think I was one of those people, God only knows what she thought.My Dr. always told me that my mo0m needed to be there not me, will at least I wasn’t getten beat. I got to move on a floor with other girls.Only remember two because they ran away once and then when they were found, one slit her wrist and I passed out. I remember after eating in the dinning room, all the silver ware had to be counted before we could leave.I wish I could find more people who were there. I had a real good friend Leo but lost track of him. Has anyone ever retrieved they’re records? I would love to read mine. Thanks for all the stories.