The Haunted Alton State Hospital

Alton State Mental Hospital stands as one of the few mental institutions from the early 1900s still in operation today. As with many other haunted asylums, Alton State’s patients were subjected to harsh and inhumane “treatments” that were often cruelly disguised as medical progress. Those unfortunate enough to find themselves within its formidable walls often fell victim to the hospital’s notorious reputation for abuse.

Who haunts the Alton State Hospital?

It’s believed that the patients whose lives were cut short within these walls remain; their agony still heard by those who enter the building. Read on to learn more about this twisted hospital.

Alton State Hospital History

In the fall of 1912, the State Board of Administration, along with State Architect W. Carbys Zimmerman, visited Upper Alton to select a site for a new hospital for the “insane.” This new facility was intended to alleviate overcrowding in other hospitals.

In 1913, Senator Edmond Beall introduced a bill in the Legislature, securing $500,000 to begin construction. By July of that year, the land was purchased from several local property owners, including William Cartwright, Edward Rogers, Colonel Andrew Rodgers, and Harriet Kirkpatrick. The acquisition included farmhouses and existing structures.

Frank Dinges was appointed as the site manager, but almost immediately, challenges arose, particularly from Chicago politicians who wanted the hospital closer to the city. Alton officials had overlooked logistical issues such as roadways, utilities, and transportation to the hospital. Despite these difficulties, by March of 1914, cattle and other livestock began arriving at the property, and in 1915, construction on the hospital itself commenced. Although the hospital had not officially opened to the public, small numbers of patients began arriving on-site. By October, five hospital buildings were completed, though they were not yet fully utilized.

In 1916, a network of underground passageways was constructed beneath the hospital, large enough for people to walk through and equipped with electrical wiring. The smokestack for the powerhouse was also completed that same year.

By 1917, the hospital was ready to receive patients from other facilities. Dr. George Zeller, previously from the Peoria Insane Hospital, became the new superintendent of Alton State. A pioneer in mental health, Dr. Zeller was credited with initiating the movement that led to the adoption of occupational therapy as a treatment for various mental health disorders. He strongly believed in a “non-restraint” policy, arguing that confining patients did not heal them and that they should be free to roam as they pleased. As a result, there were no locks or bars on the doors or windows.

However, this policy led to issues with neighboring farmers, as patients began to “escape” the hospital and wander onto other properties, alarming children and residents. In 1922, hospital patients were even blamed for the burning of the Culp School.

Like many hospitals of the time, Alton State also functioned as a working farm, with the belief that work and responsibility were essential in treating mental health crises. The hospital became well-known for its beautiful grounds, where patients were allowed to care for livestock and tend to crops, including a fish pond, apple orchard, and tobacco plants. One patient even grew peanuts, which were sold in Upper Alton.

In 1918, the hospital established an attached cemetery for patients who died and were unclaimed or unidentified. Later, the hospital also housed shell-shocked soldiers returning from the horrors of World War I.

The Legacy of Dr. Zeller

In 1921, Dr. Zeller resigned from his position at Alton State and returned to Peoria State Hospital, where he uncovered widespread neglect. He checked himself into the hospital for three days, living in different wards each night to better understand the patients’ experiences. His time there was so impactful that he ordered every staff member to live as an “inmate” in the hospital to gain a better understanding of the conditions. Dr. Zeller stepped down from his administrative role in 1935 and passed away on June 29, 1938.

Dr. Zeller’s death marked the end of an era for Alton State. His commitment to lockless units and a zero-restraint policy helped remove some of the stigma surrounding mental illness and paved the way for more successful treatments, such as occupational therapy.

By the 1940s, Alton State had introduced hydrotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. During this period, the hospital had 757 patients, and over 65,000 hours of hydrotherapy were performed in a single year. By 1959, the patient population had swelled to 1,775, far exceeding the hospital’s capacity of 1,084. With this overcrowding came increased reports of abuse and neglect, and the hospital began to perform lobotomies.

In 1961, the Department of Mental Health took control of the hospital, and in 1975, its name was changed to Alton Mental Health Center. Today, it primarily serves as a forensic services provider, housing about 200 court-ordered patients. A high-security building was completed in 1997, a stark contrast to the open, free-range environment that Dr. Zeller had once advocated.

The Hauntings of Alton State

Like many hospitals, Alton State is steeped in death and sorrow, and the energy of those who suffered there lingers within its walls. Staff and visitors alike report strange experiences, including unusual sounds, disembodied voices, slamming doors, and even the eerie sensation of being touched. Some have captured photos showing bright orbs with visions of faces in agony.

While the facility is still operational, paranormal investigators who have managed to visit the site have reported being told by spirits to “get out,” often feeling pushed out of rooms by unseen forces.

Alton – Illinois’ Most Haunted Town?

Alton is considered one of the most haunted small towns in America, with a history of tragedy, murder, and death that has left a lasting impact. Several locations in Alton are said to be haunted, including the infamous McPike Mansion, The First Unitarian Church, and the Milton School. The town has been featured in countless articles and TV shows, with Mark Twain once describing Alton, Illinois, as a “dismal little river town.”

Check out our blog to learn more about America’s most haunted locations. To see some of them in person, book a ghost tour with St. Louis Ghosts!

Sources:

https://madison.illinoisgenweb.org/town_histories/alton/alton_state_hospital.html

https://www.riversandroutes.com/blog/why-alton-is-americas-most-haunted-small-town/

https://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php/Alton_State_Hospital