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Haunted Insane Asylum

Haunted Insane Asylums

Death, illness and tragedy have long permeated the history of American insane asylums. Beginning in the late 18th century buildings that housed the criminally and mentally insane swept the country like a plague. Now, all but lost to history, is the brutality of these institutions. Torture and abuse all but flowed freely and time has yet to erase the multitude of horror that was brought down upon each surviving soul. Take a journey into the world of asylums, see why they are some of the scariest places on earth, and join me for a road trip into the supernatural.

Shadow Man

The Ridges- Athens, Ohio

Facts

The Ridges, also known as the Athens Mental Health Center, is located in Athens, Ohio. Originally monikered the Athens Asylum for the Criminally Insane, this massive institution first opened its door on January 9, 1874, 135 years ago. The State and Federal Government had purchased over 1,000 acres of land from the Coates, a family who's farm had previously occupied the land.The main building, enormous in structure, was designed around the idea that it was therapeutic for patients to be housed in a facility that resembled a home. Asylums at this time were more often than not a facade of mental abuse and torture. The Ridges was a first of its kind, an asylum where bleeding, freezing,and kicks to the head were not thought of as ways to "shock" the illness out of the brain. The less disturbed patients were housed closer to the center where the administrative offices and employee housing were. The violent patients were housed at the far end of the wings away from employee housing and convenient exit and entries. The building housed over 200 patients until over crowding ensued in the early 1900s. The patient count then rose to nearly 2,000 patients in a building with only 544 rooms. The increase in popularity lead to the decline of patient treatment. Once unique in its mental practices, The Ridges fell prone to old time customs. Eventually, The Ridges reverted to hostile patient care including physical abuse, water treatment, shock therapy, and lobotomies.

By 1993 the Athens Asylum for the Criminally Insane bused its last patients out and closed its doors for good. All patients except one that is.

Hauntings

On December 1, 1978, a female patient named Margaret Schilling disappeared from one of the active wards. On January 12,1979, 42 days later, they found her lifeless body in the abandoned top floor of ward N. 20. The ward at the time, abandoned and closed down for years, was used for sick, infectious patients. A search was done when the women went missing but apparently the only floor not checked was ward N. 20. When a maintenance man found her body, lifeless, cold, and unclothed, she had been dead for several weeks. The official cause of death was heart failure but why still remains a mystery. A stain in the shape of a human figure can still be seen on the floor where she died. It is said that her spirit can be seen peering from the window of the room in which she spent her final moments. People have also said to hear disembodied female voices, lights, shadow people and the sound of squeaking gurneys.

Danvers State Mental Hospital

Danvers State Lunatic Asylum- Danvers, Massachusetts

Fact

Danvers State Lunatic Asylum is probably one of the most notoriously haunted and intriguing places on earth. High atop Hawthorne Hill, overlooking the scenic countryside, sits an incomprehensibly massive structure. Donned the "witches castle on the hill". Danvers State Lunatic Asylum was constructed in 1878, costing a mere 1.5 million dollars, and was considered to be an architectural masterpiece. The asylum resides in the town of Danvers, Massachusetts which many people are unaware was formerly known as Salem Village. Salem Village was the first actual location of the 1692 Salem witch trials. Unbeknownst to some, the witch trials did not begin in Salem, but in Salem Village, or present-day Danvers at a church on Centre Street. The trials were later moved to a larger building in Salem when hysteria ran rampant and onlooking spectators swarmed the church. More significantly, the most fanatical judge of the witch trials, Johnathan Hawthorne, lived in a house built by his father in 1646 at the top of the hill, in the exact location on which the asylum stands today, hence the name "Witches Castle". It has also been speculated that John Proctor and 4 other accused withches were hung on Gallows Hill in 1692 , the property on which Danvers was built. Creepy? For sure.

Danvers was the epitome of ever changing health care at the turn of the century and its humane treatment of patients earned it a brilliant reputation. But like so many others of its time it fell victim to rising cost, lack of government funding, understaffing, and over population. Its deteriorated physical state was a hell-hole likened to that of a German death camp. A once humane facility had turned dark by the mid half of the century.

Danvers, between 1940 and 1950, housed over 2,600 mentally ill patients in a structure only designed to house 600. Due to over crowding it relied on medical interventions customary to infamous asylums of that time- shock treatment, hydrotherapy, insulin shock therapy, psychosurgery and lobotomies (the frontal lobotomy was said to be perfected here) to keep its burgeoning census under control. Patients became haggard and ghostly, often spending a majority of time alone and in solitary confinement in a space no larger than a small bathroom. "Poorly clothed and sometimes naked, these legions of lost souls were shown pacing aimlessly on the wards, lying on the filthy cement floors, or sitting head in hand against the pock-marked walls" (Deutsch 1948, 41, 49). It was so bad that a lifeless patient would go unnoticed for days.

Finally in 1992, Danvers State Lunatic Asylum shut its doors for good. The remaining patients were placed accordingly in other facilities and the castle was locked down. 14 years passed as the building sat abandoned, then in 2005 the property was bought and parts of the once grandier hospital were demolished. Although still recognizable, Danvers State is now apartments and although the part of the original structure was kept, the foreboding that once emancipated from this great palace is gone.

Hauntings

With such a trivial history its no wonder why Danvers was dubbed one of the scariest places on earth. Although converted to apartments the lure and legends of Danvers remain. People have reported flickering lights, full body appiritions, hearing invisible footsteps and doors that open and close on their own. Whether the hauntings are residual energy burned into the atmosphere of this eerie place or whether they are intelligent , its up to you to decide!

Byberry Mental Hospital

Inside Byberry Mental Hospital

ByBerry Mental Hospital- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Facts

Byberry Mental Hospital is located on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Byberry was first constructed in 1906 and opened its doors to its first patient in 1907. It began its humble beginnings as a work farm for the mentally ill but between 1910 and 1920 construction of a large asylum was begun and completed. As asylum popularity grew throughout the country by the mid 1930s, Byberrys population quickly expanded and with it came tales of patient abuse and neglect. Insufficient funds left the asylum in disrepair and patients wound up unclothed, starved, and sleeping in raw sewage filled hallways. Many patients were forced to live huddled in decrepit, dingy rooms with no socialization or supervision. Every mental institution nightmare you can imagine came true. "Padded cells, restraining devices, solitary confinement, beatings by brutal warders and violent inmates, lobotomies and electric shock " were just some of the horrid treatments used. Byberry became known as a "real life house of horrors" as murder , suicide, and brutality reigned.

Finally, in 1990, state authorities were forced to close the doors of Byberry after a thorough investigation advertised the despicable living conditions within Byberrys' walls. Yet, its dark history continued on and remains to this very day. The crumbling buildings that once housed hundreds of mentally insane patients and the subterranean tunnels that connected them were left vacant and forgotten. Until now.

Hauntings

There are a multitude of horror stories surrounding Byberry. After it closed it became a magnet for all sorts of unwelcome visitors– thieves, vagrants, gangs, satanic cults, and possibly former inmates in search of shelter (less mentally ill patients were tossed to the street after Byberry closed). The miles of catacombs beneath the abandoned asylum have also given rise to some very creepy stories. One freakishly scary urban legend concerns a former mentally, violent patient who reportedly still lurks the tunnel below, hiding in wait, wielding a large knife, to slice the throats of any unsuspecting explorer that should cross his path. It is also said that a gang of satanic occultists have taken refuge in the dilapidated building. The satanic rituals that are said to take place here have possibly opened up a door to hell within these walls as growling sounds and bodily welts and scratches have been reported.So take caution should you adventure in at night , ghosts are not the only thing lying in wait.

Waverly Hills

Shadow Man, Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Waverly Hills Sanatorium- Kentucky

Yes, I've decided to save the best for last. Welcome to Waverly Hills. WAAHAHAH...(ok I'm stopping hehehe).

Facts

In Louisville, Kentucky, perched high upon a massive hill sits Waverly Hill Sanatorium. This reigning fortress of doom, in its decaying state, cast an eerie feeling upon the city below. The atmosphere surrounding Waverly creates a sense of foreboding and is further darkened by a chilling history.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium was built in 1924 to replace an existing hospital, built in 1910, that became over populated due to the rapid spread of a plague like disease, tuberculosis. Although Waverly hills was considered the most advance tuberculosis sanatorium in the country, hundreds of adults and children still perished at the peak of the epidemic. Ultimately the deaths occurred because of lack of medicines. A cure for tuberculosis wouldn't come until 1940 and although treatments were performed to help alleviate the condition of the patient, most times they were just as horrific as the disease itself and most patients did not survive.

By the late 1930s a decline in tuberculosis occurred and then in 1943 a cure for the disease was made available worldwide. Patients were treated accordingly and when healthy were released. Then in 1946 after tuberculosis was under control Waverly Hills shut down. Yet, that was not the end of the story, it was later re-opened as Woodhaven Geriatrics Sanatorium in 1961. During this time there were many stories of patient mistreatment and unusual experiments . By 1982 Waverly was shut down indefinitely . Today it sits abandoned, ravaged by time.

Hauntings

With 64,000 deaths under its belt its no wonder why Waverly Hills is considered to be one of the most haunted asylums in the country. As if death wasn't enough to cause a haunting it has also been speculated that satanic rituals have taken place with in it's walls. Shadow people lurk with in its corridors accompanied by disembodied voices and slamming doors. Here are a few well known occurrences at Waverly:

Main Entrance. An elderly women is often seen, in spectral form, crying for help, bleeding with her wrist and ankles chained.

An elderly women is often seen, in spectral form, crying for help, bleeding with her wrist and ankles chained. The Third Floor. It is said, depending on who is speaking, that either a ghostly little boy (Robert) or girl (Mary) haunts the third floor. Often times people report seeing this ghostly apparition playing with a ball; others have only heard the ball bouncing on the floor or down the stairs.

It is said, depending on who is speaking, that either a ghostly little boy (Robert) or girl (Mary) haunts the third floor. Often times people report seeing this ghostly apparition playing with a ball; others have only heard the ball bouncing on the floor or down the stairs. The Roof. The faint voices of Children are often heard singing "ring a round the rosie" on the roof.

The faint voices of Children are often heard singing "ring a round the rosie" on the roof. The Fifth Floor & Room 502. Stories say that in 1928, the head nurse in Room 502 was found dead in her room. She had committed suicide by hanging herself from the light fixture. She was 29 years-old at the time of her death and allegedly, unmarried and pregnant. Her depression over the situation led her to take her own life. It’s unknown how long she may have been hanging in this room before her body was discovered. Then in 1932, another nurse who worked in Room 502 was said to have jumped from the roof patio and plunged several stories to her death. No one seems to know why she would have done this but many have speculated that she may have actually have been pushed over the edge. There are no records to indicate this but rumors continue to persist. It is reported that people have seen her full body apparition on this floor. Feelings of despair are often times felt in this area as well as voice growling "get out"!

Stories say that in 1928, the head nurse in Room 502 was found dead in her room. She had committed suicide by hanging herself from the light fixture. She was 29 years-old at the time of her death and allegedly, unmarried and pregnant. Her depression over the situation led her to take her own life. It’s unknown how long she may have been hanging in this room before her body was discovered. Then in 1932, another nurse who worked in Room 502 was said to have jumped from the roof patio and plunged several stories to her death. No one seems to know why she would have done this but many have speculated that she may have actually have been pushed over the edge. There are no records to indicate this but rumors continue to persist. It is reported that people have seen her full body apparition on this floor. Feelings of despair are often times felt in this area as well as voice growling "get out"! The Fourth Floor. The fourth floor is regarded as one of the most creepy, scary and "active" areas in the hospital. Doors are reported to slam for no apparent reason in an area of the fourth floor that is off limits to human occupants due to the unsafe nature of the area. Ghostly shadow like silhouettes are also said to be seen lurking the halls in this area as well.

Hope you enjoyed your ride through the world of asylums. If you'd like to continue on your ride you can read more in Some of the Most Haunted Insane Asylums on Earth.

Jennet Humphrey on January 05, 2020:

I had been searching for an interesting , new and informative paranormal website for a long time and then I came across this site. I am so content that I can find here many creepy and well-written articles :)

Briar Rose on April 18, 2018:

I loved it! So fun to read, very useful for my report. Did a great job on writing it! I LOVED the last one(☠

Ashley TKL on December 14, 2014:

Good job. I enjoyed the read. Useful and Interesting!

kier e k on October 09, 2014:

Lots of info used for research project. very useful too

Bill Hickson on July 27, 2014:

Nice job writing this. Alot of info for one page. AsylumInsane.com talks about related topics.

Anon on February 06, 2014:

The lobotomy was not perfected in Salem...

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on August 26, 2013:

Rachel thank you for reading and commenting! Hopefully one day you will get to visit!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on August 26, 2013:

And that is how I described it Raevyn14, as a Sanatorium. Did you read the description of it? I said it was a sanatorium for turberculosis patients. Although it may not have been termed an insane asylum, like you said, the building did at one point house mental patients on some of it's floors and then later again when it was converted into the Woodhaven Geriatrics Sanatorium. Which is why I included it in this article.

Raevyn14 from Tecumseh, Oklahoma on August 25, 2013:

Waverly hill Sanatorium wasn't an insane asylum. It was a TB hospital that was turned into an old folks home, I've researched this place for years. The experiments they did we supposed to help those who were infected with TB. There were people with mental issues on the 5th floor, but other than that It was NOT an insane asylum.

Rachel on August 25, 2013:

Wow interesting stuff, really creepy.

God i'd love to live in america, all you americans are so lucky. I'd love to visit some day but the country is so massive and full of great places that I dont know where to go first!

Janae on July 15, 2013:

Wow. I know where I am DEFINITELY going when I can. Waverly Hills sounds amazing.

becky on May 12, 2013:

Hi I am from Liverpool and would love to. Come over to the USA for a tour of the asylums it would be an amazing experience :-)

Ralphieman on March 13, 2013:

Here's a good tip.

If you wake up at 3 in the morning and decide to research something, don't research mental asylums.

Just don't. Trust me.

you all are nut cases on March 01, 2013:

you're all insane wait to you get to hell!

you better go pray for demonic souls g-d will forgive you and wont send you there!!

Sami on December 03, 2012:

I just wanted to let u know I hung out in byberry many times when I was in my teens it was scary and very interesting to see all the different rooms and what was still in the buildings

Marines205 on October 21, 2012:

I have been a Marine since I was 17 teen and I would love to check out old places like these. I live in Wyoming and we have nothing like that here.

smokie on October 17, 2012:

Any Historical buildings should be perserved. Funds should be set aside for renovations to be made..We should hold history dear to our hearts. Let people see just how far we have come. modern building just is not that interesting.

m.w.p.i on September 29, 2012:

i was wondering if u could help me, my house is haunted, 2 people died in it and im right across from a semitary

Beka on September 15, 2012:

I moved

To Salem, MA I'm January so

I am close to Danvers.

I just watched the movie session 9 which was filmed in the Danvers insane

Asylum. Scary. Wish i

Would have moved earlier and could have seen it!

Hannah on August 14, 2012:

Ok im a bit scared now, but thanks im reseaching the context of mental/lunatic asylums in Britain and USA for A level English, this helped me out thankyou!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on August 07, 2012:

Shadowhunter, thank you! Good luck with your story!

Shadowhunter on August 05, 2012:

*shivers* I am officially creeped out, but thanks! I'm researching asylums for a short story (*cue more shivers*) and this has helped a lot. I think Waverly Hills takes the cake :D (in my story, anyway. The one before it seems even creepier...)

sarah on July 12, 2012:

sooooooooooooooooooo weird

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 28, 2012:

I'm sure one would! Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 28, 2012:

Hi PDQ, thanks for commenting! & to answer your question , no I have never heard of those. I will have to look into it! Maybe I can find something :)

pdq on June 27, 2012:

Love so far. Have u ever heard of the nut house or funny farm in Either. Nebraska or Iowa? Yes that really was the name not.being mean or anything. Saw a short clip on tv about it But find jack about it on line in searches?!?

me on June 27, 2012:

I live 5 minutes away from waverly hills. I've only been in front of it , and you get a weird feeling , its creepy .

jeanihess from Cape Town South Africa on June 19, 2012:

:) I will have to come back and read some more!

Delia on May 30, 2012:

Me and my BFF Mia are very interested in the whole seeing ghosts thing. We are currently only 13 and 12 but whenwe are older we are going to go see some haunted places. We are really looking forward to go see the Waverly Hills Sanatorium when we go to Kentucky for our summer break. It is going to be so cool. Us and five other friends are going to make it even more cool. Wish us luck :)

reptar on March 20, 2012:

some of this seems legit but im sceptical on some of it but i would definatly love to explore this like i have do with povilia in italy :D

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on March 12, 2012:

Raevyn14 thanks for reading and dropping by. Waverly Hill Sanatorium was included because it became somewhat of a geriatric nursing home/asylum after Turburculosis was cured. The cruelty factor was not just about the procedures performed on the patients as much as the over crowding and filthy environments that they were left to survive in. Many were unfeed, unbathed and left to live in their own feces. That to me is cruel treatment. Being overcrowded and understaffed does not mean they had the right to knowingly neglect patients.

Letchworth Village sounds interesting. I will have to check it out. Maybe I will include it in my third installment!

Raevyn14 from Tecumseh, Oklahoma on March 09, 2012:

Waverly hill sanatorium is not an insane asylum, it was a TB hospital, waverly hills wasn't cruel to their patients, however, I know about the prodecures they did, but the doctors didn't know what they were doing they just wanted to help.

An insane asylum to replace that would be letchworth village, that's an insane asylum. Now about your picture of the shadow man, I will say that in waverly hills they have been known to be seen in the morning and in broad daylight

brandi davis on February 25, 2012:

Thats scary I am so glad that I did not have to go there. I heeard a lot of places like that were really cruel to their patients.I'm just happy I wasn't t

Ka.erv on January 17, 2012:

This is great! I'm writing a speech for school on insane asylums and their hauntings and mistreatment of patients and this helped a lot and had great information! Thanks!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on December 28, 2011:

Brad I will have to look into that. Keep checking back for a new hub :) Thank you for reading !

brad on December 22, 2011:

wish you would do something on the prison in st. joseph mo. it is a former kirkbride mental institution. a friend works there he says its haunted .

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on October 12, 2011:

Molly you are welcome :) Thank you for reading :)

Molly on October 01, 2011:

I thoroughly enjoyed your page. Thanks for the ghost stories.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on September 08, 2011:

It would be a interesting encounter to say the least!!!

Taylor on September 08, 2011:

I would love to meet some crimInally insane people they are awesome!!!!!!!!!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on August 24, 2011:

LOl Ghost Of Waverly, that's awwww-some! Too bad I couldn't have come myself I'm sure we would have had a good laugh! Thanks for reading and commenting, it was an interesting and amusing story you had to tell. :)

Ghost of Waverly.. on August 20, 2011:

I count myself as one of the “ghosts” of Waverly…

As a mountain biker who often biked in Waverly Park I have visited Waverly hills ( which adjoins the park and many mtb trails lead there) many times.

During several “visits” we rode our mountain bikes through the building, on many floors and in the “chute”. (Careful to avoid glass and carrying our bikes up steps). Twice, while we were there, groups of people approached the building while we were inside. I climbed into the tower at the front of the building and made “scooby doo” type ghost sounds and the groups of people screamed, and ran so fast, that we spent 15 minutes laughing. It was so campy that it was laughable, but the people were scared to death. I have NEVER seen a ghost or heard a ghost or seen anything in this building that scared me. It is creepy in asmuch as it’s a dilapidated craphole with graffiti on the walls….

I applaud the current owners for turning it into the cash cow that it is today with expensive ghost tours, and TV shows featuring it. Now that it is a cash maker for the owners, and they’ve placed concrete griffins and other odds and ends, they have security, so I imagine my days as the ghost of the tower are over. Tis’ a pity. I am sure those people tell stories of how they encountered demons at Waverly….

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on July 12, 2011:

Revencolor thanks for commenting. The death total was rumored to be around 60,000 to 64,000 people and not all death records were kept once the hospital became over crowded and purged with more tuberculosis patients than they could handle. The "safe number" or less speculative number seems to be around 8,400 deaths. Either way they are both very high numbers. Thanks for reading.

Ravencolor on July 08, 2011:

The death rate at Waverly hills was no where near 64,ooo thankfully. The highest number of deaths recorded in one year was 162. The number of deaths were 6300 to 8200. 64,000 would have meant more than one death an hour for some 40 years.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 29, 2011:

Nicegirl glad you enjoyed!

Suzie, it really was a sad reality. The way the mind works...it really is incredible.

Mrs. JB Glad you enjoyed it!

nicegirl on June 22, 2011:

i got pretty scared when i read this article!!! it made it even more scarier with the spooky pictures of the Shadow Man!!!!Brrrr.i actually wish i hadn't read it!!!boy,im scared now..

suzie on March 17, 2011:

This was really great,I'm going into physcology, and this really sparks interest, I really feel bad for the people who lived in these asylums.

Mrs. J. B. from Southern California on February 25, 2011:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these types of stories...

FallenKaty on January 21, 2011:

This was badass. Seriously epic.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on December 28, 2010:

Thanks Gypsy1witch! I will check out your hubs! Thanks for reading :)

Christine Marie from Milton, NY on December 15, 2010:

This was FANASTIC!! I love reading hauntings as I write about them myself; and I love that you did the asylums!! I did a few myself~this is the BEST!

Felicia on October 27, 2010:

When you decide to go let me know:-) It has been my dream to vist these places and walk around inside. These places look so awesome I am half tempted to get in my car and go on a road trip right now... I love this stuff!

Jesus on September 30, 2010:

It's only terrible if the people realize what's going on.

: P on August 04, 2010:

I don't believe in ghosts, but the things that happened at these asylums..were terrible.. ._.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on July 09, 2010:

gusripper most likely because of their history which was, often times, very sinister and dark. :)

gusripper on July 06, 2010:

Only one Question.Why all these places are always dark and moody?

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 23, 2010:

Hello Inky69, all of the above related links are mine. I suggest you check them out if you have the time. If you haven't done so already you might want to read my follow up hub to this (Notoriuosly Haunted-Insane Asylums-Some Of The Most HAunted Places On Earth) https://exemplore.com/paranormal/Haunted-Insane-As... Thanks for your comment :)

Inky69 on June 23, 2010:

Lovely stuff, I have recently become very interested in asylums as well as serial killers, although im neither insane nor a killer, the fact that a human being's mind lands up this way. It interests me! Any other links you could share with us?

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 21, 2010:

Hi Denise, I know they are creepy but fascinating at the same time!

Denise Stuart on June 16, 2010:

This was very interesting, thank you. I too am fasinated with insane asylems. So creepy!! I would never have the guts to go near one, day or night.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 10, 2010:

LOL Tom! There are some who dare and there are some who run away with their tails between their legs! I'm with you these places are really creepy!

tom hellert from home on June 10, 2010:

Another great Hub i drove by that joint in Ohio we were going to check it out but We took one look and 4 18-23 yr olds looked at it and said lets go find some chicks- back when my buddy went to college in Ohio.

It was CREEPY and that was in the AM.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on June 04, 2010:

Hi Bethhh thanks for stopping by! I am gald you enjoyed this read. If you do make it to one this summer be sure to stop back and let us know all the details! Good Luck!

Bethhh on May 31, 2010:

My latest obsession is research on Asylums. As like Jasmine, I am 12. Except I don't feel 'spooked' out by these as I do, intrigued. I don't like ghost stories or horror films, but I like the history in Asylums and the tales that follow with them. I really want to visit an asylum over the summer. It might be interesting. :)

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on April 23, 2010:

Hi Jasmine!

I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment!

Jasmine on April 04, 2010:

oh my! I'm 12 years old & am very interested by asylums.. these were great! spooked me out!

cocksuxmyman23 on February 17, 2010:

FOLKS...GET A CLUE...HEEEEEELOOOO?

Selly Na on February 08, 2010:

Wow. These were great! I want to read more now! It would be great to visit all these places. I think it would be fun!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on December 25, 2009:

Hi Sam

Waverly has two diferent tours, a half night (4 hours)and a full night (8 hours). Visit http://www.therealwaverlyhills.com/tours.htm to get all the info. Good luck!

sam mcdonald on December 25, 2009:

Hey these are great locations that my friends and i were hoping to visit but apparently waverly is the only one still in existence that we can stay over night at.Do you know how much it costs to stay a night in waverly

Thanks Sam

SkedAddled on December 05, 2009:

If you'd like to view some exceptional photography of these and many other abandonments, have a look at Opacity. Tom's photography is astounding, and the forum is very active with other photographers.

Not my site, but I frequent the forum there, and have explored & photographed some abandonments.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on December 05, 2009:

SkedAddled:

Very right you are. Many of these places unfortunantly will be gone if not already. But eventually I would love to visit Waverly as it is one of the only ones that still remains in tact. Thanks for your comment!

SkedAddled on December 05, 2009:

"But trust me one day I will!"

Not so easily, I'm afraid. Byberry is being torn down now; demolition may already be completed. Waverly is now privately owned, and for a fee, you can tour the place or even spend a night. Danvers is, as mentioned, essentially gone. The Ridges does still exist, but is now given over to use as the Lin Hall-Kennedy Museum of American Art, operated by Ohio University. Another reputedly haunted site is the old Taunton State Hospital in Taunton, Massachussetts. Unfortunately, she's recently been demolished as well.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on December 04, 2009:

ADD:

I wish I could say I was but unfortunantly, it is not so! But trust me one day I will!

A.D.D. on November 23, 2009:

One question, efeyas, have you ever even beeen to these places?? Cuz that would be Flippin Awsome If You Have!

CD Rates on November 23, 2009:

I click on the images above and actually got scared by looking at those pictures. After reading history of these places i feel sorry for these places to witness human terror and not the ghost terror.

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on November 18, 2009:

socit2009:

Thank you for your comment :) I'm glad you found the information interesting!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on November 02, 2009:

Franki79

Glad you enjoyed it :)

franki79 on October 31, 2009:

great hub,,, nothing like a good old fashion tale of real 'haunted' places,,, especially insane asylums,,, it was awesome

Franki

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on October 30, 2009:

Thanks ladyinthemirror yes it is a little creepy!

ladyonthemirror from Indonesia on October 30, 2009:

it's creepier and scarier that horror movies. I read this in the afternoon but I feel scare..ha...ha...

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on October 29, 2009:

Shimsshrew

Thanks! I think I might have to do a second hub on this! The history alone, nevermind the spirits, is enough to scare you!

shimsshrew on October 29, 2009:

I tend to agree.

With so much cruelty thrust upon these people, who is to say that there isn't some type of intelligent or residual "being/s" "spirit/s" remaining as a warning or just as a reminder of days past??

Tell me more!!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on October 29, 2009:

Thanks Albertovich! Can't get enough of them!

albertovich on October 29, 2009:

Just in time for Halloween, and who doesn't like a good Ghost story...Congrats!

Elizabeth (author) from Some Sunny Beach, USA on October 20, 2009:

Kephira:

Thank You for your comment. I agree. Its hard to believe that a history so rich in tragedy could not leave some type of impression on theses places. Whether the hauntings within these asylums are intelligent or residual, they are fascinating.

kephrira from Birmingham on October 20, 2009:

If these places aren't haunted they should be. I have no opinion either way on whether ghosts are real, but I can certainly imagine people being haunted by the knowledge of what happened in these places if not by actual ghosts.