Georgia’s Creepiest: From Mental Facility to Ghost Town

Georgia is home to some of the most haunting and eerie locations, with Central State Hospital in Milledgeville standing out as a prominent example. This former mental health facility, once the largest in the world, has become a ghost town filled with chilling stories and a complex history.

Central State Hospital: A Brief History

Opened in 1842 as the Georgia State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum, Central State Hospital initially aimed to provide humane treatment for mental health patients. Under Dr. Thomas A. Greene, early practices included abolishing restraints and allowing patients to participate in their rehabilitation.

However, by the 1960s, the hospital was overwhelmed, housing up to 12,000 patients with a staggering staff-to-patient ratio of 1:100. This led to severe mistreatment, including reports of patients confined in cages and subjected to harsh treatments like lobotomies and electroshock therapy.

The hospital began closing in the 1970s due to deinstitutionalization trends but officially ceased operations in 2010. Today, it sits abandoned, with only about 45 of its original 200 buildings still standing.

The Ghost Town Experience

Visitors to Central State Hospital encounter an unsettling atmosphere as they explore the decaying structures surrounded by over 25,000 unmarked graves. The site includes remnants of its past, such as a cemetery with roughly 2,000 marked graves at Cedar Lane Cemetery, where many former patients rest without identification. The grounds also feature an abandoned prison that was once part of the hospital complex.

While security patrols prevent entry into the dilapidated buildings, a museum on-site preserves artifacts from the hospital’s history. This allows curious visitors to learn about life within one of history’s largest mental institutions.

Cultural Impact and Preservation Efforts

The legacy of Central State Hospital extends beyond its physical presence; it has influenced literature and culture significantly. Notably, author Flannery O’Connor, who lived nearby, drew inspiration from the hospital’s complex history for her works. Scholars like Mab Segrest are actively exploring these connections and advocating for the preservation of the site as a testament to its historical significance.

Conclusion

Central State Hospital represents a dark chapter in Georgia’s history, embodying both the progress and failures of mental health treatment. While it remains a site of eerie fascination for many, it also serves as a reminder of the need for compassion and understanding in mental health care.

FAQs

What is Central State Hospital known for?

Central State Hospital was once the largest mental health facility in the world and is infamous for its mistreatment of patients during its operation.

Can you visit Central State Hospital today?

Visitors can drive through the campus and view the buildings from outside but cannot enter them due to safety concerns and security measures.

What happened to the patients after the hospital closed?

Following its closure, many patients were moved to community facilities or smaller regional hospitals as part of a broader deinstitutionalization movement.