Schools and Institutions

This category is for locations that were hospitals, schools, or other similar institutions.

Beelitz

A complex of over 60 buildings, Beelitz-Heilstatten began life as a sanatorium in 1898. By World War I, however, it became a military hospital for the Imperial German Army, and would have the dubious distinction of treating a young Adolf Hitler in October and November of 1916 when wounded during the Battle of the Somme.

Genesee County Home

It was a dark and stormy night as we made our way to the haunted asylum in rural New York state. While enjoying a Valentine's get-away, we heard about a ghost hunt at the Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany. I read up on the building and its history and immediately decided that, despite my complete skepticism with regard to the existence of ghosts, it was still a great opportunity to explore a historic building with legal permission. These opportunities don't present themselves often. Aside from that, I had never seen a ghost hunt besides those on TV. It would be fun to see first hand.

Birtle Residential School

The original school on this location was built in 1894. Today, all that remains of it is a pile of stone from its foundation.

Fergus Falls State Hospital

In the late 1880's, overcrowding at Minnesota's two main psychiatric facilities prompted the state to begin looking at the construction of a third. The legislature passed a bill allocating $24,280 for the purchase of 596 acres of land, and a further $70,000 for construction of the required buildings.

Houghton County Poorhouse

Information is a little scant on this location, but I have found reference to a facility being here as early as January 18, 1872.

Greystone Park Psychiatric

As a result of the constant lobbying and persistence of Dorothea Lynde Dix, a nurse advocating for better care of the mentally ill, the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum was opened on August 18, 1876. A tract of land, 743 acres in size, was purchased in 1871 and 1872, and construction began on the new 673,706 square foot facility.

Staten Island Poor Colony

On October 23, 1829, Richmond County purchased the property from Stephen Martino for $3,000. The Richmond County Poor Farm opened as a home for the sick, homeless, alcoholics, unwanted children and the elderly. When Staten Island became part of New York City in 1898, the farm would be renamed the New York City Farm Colony.

Muskoka Centre

In 1894, Toronto philanthropist, Sir William Gage, began working to have a tuberculosis sanatorium built. After traveling the world studying how other countries were handling this disease, and traveling Canada looking for a suitable location, he accomplished his goal on a small peninsula of land in Gravenhurst, Ontario. The Muskoka Cottage Sanatorium opened in 1897 with 35 beds and was the first of its kind in Canada.

Parry Sound Hospital

When I arrived at this place, my expectations were low. I had checked it out on Street View, and it appeared that everything was boarded up pretty tight. Still, I wanted to have a look just the same.

St. Joseph's Girls Indian Residential School

The Government of Canada began a program of assimilation of the native population. To this end, many schools were opened, mostly by religious entities, across the country. These schools would teach English culture to native children and weed out their own language and way of life.

Schools and Institutions