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Iva Stanley | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> A Look Inside Abandoned State Mental Hospital tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

A Look Inside Abandoned State Mental Hospital

In a quest to find something to photograph, my husband and I ended up here at the closed
down Central State Mental Institution.
It has been shut down for 10 years and the signs of deterioration are really starting to show.
Even outside looking in there was a very creepy feeling about the place.
It closed because the patients were being mistreated
http://www.in.gov/icpr/3942.htm
and there were asbestos problems.
We walked through and took pictures. We visited this abandoned facility with the utmost of respect.
I wish there had been more "personal" signs of the lives that had once lived there,
but I was glad just for the experience.
There were many lives lived here and many stories behind those lives.
After posting these images and doing a little research on the facility, I came across this
interesting site: http://www.prairieghosts.com/central_state.html

This is the story of my visit.
The Road In
The Road In		 Abandoned State Hospital
Abandoned State Hospital		 Buzzard
Buzzard		 Invitation
Invitation
Loneliness
Loneliness		 Going Downstairs
Going Downstairs		 Basement
Basement		 Basement Workshop
Basement Workshop
Ironing Board
Ironing Board		 Someone's Baby Doll?
Someone's Baby Doll?		 Rec Room
Rec Room		 lonely
lonely
Crime Scene
Crime Scene		 DSC_6660.JPG
DSC_6660.JPG		 Empty Hall
Empty Hall		 Refreshment?
Refreshment?
Photography Book
Photography Book		 Old Typewriter
Old Typewriter		 Boxes of Books
Boxes of Books		 Buckled Floor
Buckled Floor
Asbestos Management Plan
Asbestos Management Plan		 Blueprints
Blueprints		 Abandoned Buildings
Abandoned Buildings		 Wheel Chair
Wheel Chair
Beauty Shop Chair
Beauty Shop Chair		 Drawers
Drawers		 View of the Power Plant
View of the Power Plant		 Looking Up the Basement Stairs
Looking Up the Basement Stairs
Power Plant
Power Plant		 Generator?
Generator?		 Pressure Gauge
Pressure Gauge		 At the Tunnel Entrance
At the Tunnel Entrance
In the Tunnel
In the Tunnel		 One Last Look
One Last Look		 Why?
Why?

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jayce 06-Oct-2018 10:20

i didn't believe in spell till i encounter one,i had a perfect life,go job,nice car and a great family,my husband was a caring man and he loved me and our kid,i have never gone through a heart break before not by any man,i was the most pretties girl in my school during my school days in Bethume High School,we melt few years later and we fell in love and after our graduation we got married he was an engineer and he travel a lot,one day he came home saying he was having a contract in India i was happy for him because that was one of the things he have ever wish for,he love is job and i love him so much,few weeks later he stop calling only to find out that he was seeing a south Africa woman who he melt in India i never wanted to believe until i found out the post and pictures the he had on his facebook and some social account,i was confuse for i trusted him so much,i went on the internet looking for help but everyone i melt was just trying to rub me off my money,till i melt a man who someone introduce me to,he was from Africa and he told me what spell the lady use on my husband and how she did it,i was so scared and i ask him to help me for my heart was broken,he only ask me some details and in less than 48 hours my husband called me and said he was sorry for not calling me that he didn't know what happened to him,i forgave him and accepted him back for i new he was acting under a spell,black magic,spell,powers are really what we see on TV is true,if you need any help please contact this man he is really ready to help you email: {drabakaspelltemple@gmail.com} or whats app contact +2349063230051.https://drabakspellteple.blogdpot.com please this is real my dear friends,i and my family have been one big happy family since i melt this man.
jayce 06-Oct-2018 10:19

i didn't believe in spell till i encounter one,i had a perfect life,go job,nice car and a great family,my husband was a caring man and he loved me and our kid,i have never gone through a heart break before not by any man,i was the most pretties girl in my school during my school days in Bethume High School,we melt few years later and we fell in love and after our graduation we got married he was an engineer and he travel a lot,one day he came home saying he was having a contract in India i was happy for him because that was one of the things he have ever wish for,he love is job and i love him so much,few weeks later he stop calling only to find out that he was seeing a south Africa woman who he melt in India i never wanted to believe until i found out the post and pictures the he had on his facebook and some social account,i was confuse for i trusted him so much,i went on the internet looking for help but everyone i melt was just trying to rub me off my money,till i melt a man who someone introduce me to,he was from Africa and he told me what spell the lady use on my husband and how she did it,i was so scared and i ask him to help me for my heart was broken,he only ask me some details and in less than 48 hours my husband called me and said he was sorry for not calling me that he didn't know what happened to him,i forgave him and accepted him back for i new he was acting under a spell,black magic,spell,powers are really what we see on TV is true,if you need any help please contact this man he is really ready to help you email: {drabakaspelltemple@gmail.com} or whats app contact +2349063230051.https://drabakspellteple.blogdpot.com please this is real my dear friends,i and my family have been one big happy family since i melt this man.
Guest 14-May-2017 03:15
Well, my brother went there and he was chased out by some homeless crazy man. VERY CRREPY
Mike 28-Aug-2016 21:49
Do not go into the fenced off building towards the back, still alarmed and being refurbished. Recently discovered this on a trip there...a few friends and I entered the building through a boarded up window and were only able to take a few steps before tripping the alarm. Security and cops showed up with in 5 to 10 mins...all other building are fine to enter but still don't get caught...these building are rather boring as they have been gutted and really nothing left to see...didn't really experience any paranormal activity not even during the witching hour which is 3:00am...but enter and have fun at your own risk. Biggest threat is running into homeless or wildlife.
Meghan 29-Apr-2016 18:10
How easy is it to walk into this place? Looking to photograph this place heavily for a senior thesis show/historical documentation project.
Guest 04-Apr-2016 00:36
yep, just walked through them recently. Indiana national guard using it for urban disaster training and other homeland security training.
K Mars 01-Feb-2016 15:57
Does anyone know if any of the buildings are still standing as of 2016?
Guest 25-Jul-2014 04:23
I've even there before it is really haunted
Rachael 16-May-2014 03:26
I noticed that in the 'blue room' there's not only one orb but there is two, although very faint :) it sends shivers knowing and hearing of the sickening things that happened to the patients in there. Mental illness or not no one should have to go through the horrible things people did. I hope they can have peace of mind now, but for that to happen I think all the cruel and heartless actions people performed in there need to be heard by anyone and everyone. I'm very keen to get some photos of what it looks like now seeing as I live a few mins away. Excellent photos!
hailey jade 15-Nov-2013 21:37
is this hospital really hounted ?
Alenna Swain 23-Oct-2013 14:12
Crime Scene?.....Creepyyy. That about sums it up.
Eunice Mendez 14-Oct-2013 05:55
oh my god !! im just 12 yrs old but , im interested to research about abandoned mental hospital . Because i wanted to learn more ..
i scared to wheel chair
jerry 05-Mar-2013 05:59
Is it for sale and were is it?
Guest 06-Nov-2012 06:35
As I posted below, i visited as a teen. When i did we went to the "home"
of a young man who had set up a make-shif apartment there. It was really neat,
undesirable, but really neat. I understood he was involved in providing security
for Liberty, MO Odd Fellows Home after it was closed. We visited him, but I didn't
know him. I would like to know exactly who he was now.
I would love to post links here to some neat photos, but hyperlinks are not allowed.
Just search ODD FELLOWS LIBERTY MO images and you should see how similar they are.
Some differences in window placement, gutter curves, pavement and general landscape. Otherwise they are the exact same building.
Guest 06-Nov-2012 06:23
Oddfellows Home in Liberty,MO is so similar to this Central State Hospital of Indianapolis, Indiana. The two are either a blueprint that was common for the day or designed by the exact same architect. Both were used for the same purposes. The Oddfellows of Liberty is still standing and being beautifully used. I did however
visit it as a teen when it was in disrepair and experienced some anxiety from
the creepiness.
Guest 16-Sep-2012 15:57
Does anyone know any other places in Topeka, KS to explore? I heard there were a lot.
Eljay 12-Jun-2012 10:27
Looks like the building is all new . Look at the paints on the walls or everywhere . Looks like it was renovated . It looks brand new actually
grave encounters rocks 11-Jun-2012 10:32
one night I was looking at the window reflection that was on my floor and there

was tree branches and for some reason it looked like metal bars that you see on the
mental hospital windows.

and I looked at the window but nope normal looking so what the hell?

and one night I was walking down the hallway in the dark and felt a push and when
ever I go downstairs it feels like something is watching me and I heard voices down
stairs and so I went downstairs in the dark and there was nobody or nothing there
cause everyone was asleep!

and I saw my door move once and just stared at it wide eyed.

ewww its so freaky but its true.
Nick 04-May-2012 21:17
Just some info for everyone who comes her and sees these photos. This is form the Topeka State Hospital. It closed its doors in 1997, and was later bought by the Kansas Highway Patrol. They stored some of their equipment out here, and used many of the buildings for training purposes. The Highway Patrol sold the grounds to USD 501 a few years back. Since then...many of the buildings have been torn down.

That big red building with the "Abandoned State Hospital" caption? Torn down.
Those 2 "Abandoned Buildings"? Also demolished
The main building? Torn to the ground. All that's there now is grass.

Actually, of all these pictures you see here....I don't believe that any of them are left standing. I think that there are really only 3 of the larger buildings that are still left standing. Some of the smaller single-story buildings at the East of the property are still there, but the old old buildings have nearly all been demolished.

I've lived in Topeka all my 28 years of my life, and I consider it one of my greatest regrets that I never went inside any of these main buildings. Heck, I never even made the time to drive 5 miles and see the main building up until it was scheduled for demolition and had been fenced off!

Looking through these pictures gives me a sense of wonderment, and extreme sadness. I love abandoned structures, and recently have started urban exploring, so pictures like this captivate me. The extreme sadness comes from the fact that this place could have held a special place in my heart. There are many old Kirkbride buildings left....but this was the only one that was in my hometown, the place where I was born and raised. I'll never get the chance to walk down the hallways of this majestic place....
OKATU 10-Feb-2012 20:11
please contact at me i just wanna work in this hospital please contact myself
for work in saarne institute , GOT MITT DERN , for this work or more call at me (093)92031352 i just wanna work in this thanks ...
OKATU 10-Feb-2012 20:08
please contact at me i just wanna work in this hospital please contact myself
for work in saarne institute , GOT MITT DERN ,
Guest 13-Jan-2012 20:43
After stumbling upon this piece, I felt drawn to continue reading. I began to cry and cry. Why? Because I read your "Why" letter about Frankie and Fern. I'm now a Personal Care Home Provider by default but really by GOD's Divine appointment. I now work much harder than I've ever worked and more fulfilled than I've ever been. I see so many Frankie & Ferns. It mends the broken pieces of my heart. I too visited Central State back in 2011 and found myself drawn to taking pictures. I can only Imagine the heart cries that may have taken place there and the patients asking GOD "Why". We shall have the answers when we get to Heaven but until then I shall continue to serve the least of these. Be Blessed.
Debra 02-Nov-2011 03:33
On the picture titled: One Last look. Look at the windows above the door. The one closer to the roof. The window is opened. Look at the window glass in the frame. Can you see the face in the glass? Spooky! Thanks for sharing these. I love abandoned buildings. My first venture into one I was a child of eight. I'm now 56 and still find them intriguing. I love the old smells and especially finding old trinkets, pens, pencils, etc.
Rhonda Dunham 28-Oct-2011 06:00
Has anyone ever heard of the joslins sanitarium for the aged and insane. it was a mental/emergency hospital in Lincoln Calif. 20 minutes north of Sacramento. its no longer a hospital and hasnt been for decades but i use to live in the attic of that place when it was a old folks home, talk about creepy...
Julie Spencer 15-Sep-2011 23:56
I worked at this hospital in the early 70's. in fact I went to school there and became a PA2 I worked with 7 patients one on one and sat at the table when we discussed their treatment plans. I never saw anyone being mistreated but it does happen. It was a very interesting job. I lived at the nurses dorm and in bad weather i walked thur the tunnel that leads to the main building it was spooky back then and still looks spooky. I wish i could go there and see now. I had some good times there helping my patients I had one that had been put in there when she was 17 yrs old for having sex with her boyfriend she was in her late 60 when I got there! they just forgot about her. I had one that committed suicide nothing we could do would stop her. that was sad these people were fragile and I treated them as such. I am 61 yrs old now and I was 21 when i worked there a lot of time has passed bad health made leave and go back to Calif. I know live in Mo. I wish I could find someone else who worked there when I did.
anonymous35 03-May-2011 00:31
I remember visiting my first husband in the St. Louis mental hospital and how badly I was treated by some staff at times. I don't know if it had anything to do with my skin color, or the common anti pyschotic drug enforced on people, Haldol. I saw patients walking around like zombies, not really treated for anything, just slowed down a bit and more controllable. If you are sleepy you move slower and can be easily managed. I wonder if staff took the same drug.
Anonymous 01-Feb-2011 07:05
Long abandoned buildings are structural dangers. I wouldn't recommend anyone visiting the interior of such places.
michael 08-Dec-2010 17:12
I was in a state mental hospital in 1977, I am reminded of how bad it was then. But these pictures with no one in them makes it possible to really see what the building looks like. I am having flashbacks so I have to close.
rodeoflipman3225-Oct-2010 04:27
Umm is their any way i could find a owner or someone who over sees the building?
joshua danger 26-Sep-2010 09:42
what is your position???
Roxie 31-Aug-2010 14:48
Look how far our mental facilities have come! I am the dentist at a state mental institution and have been employed here for 27 years. I am very proud of the services and envionment that we are currently providing for our clients. But, these images are an important part of history that should be preserved. It is definitely a place that we don't ever want to return to. Moving forward to erase the stigma attached to mental illness should be our goal!
Evan 05-Aug-2010 19:47
This is the State Mental Hospital in Topeka, Ks. I have been in nearly every room you have a photo of, but I was in there in the dark of night, so it is interesting to see what they really look like. That's a creepy place no doubt.
Abbey 02-Aug-2010 02:42
OMG!!!! Ghost Hunters went there at night and it was freaky!!but really kool
nitin 21-Jun-2010 17:51
all those dirty pic are useless and very nasty.our hospital is more neat and clean then those pic we guys are watching so anybody interested who wants to work wit mental ill people then contact me.neet_in101@yahoo.com
Linda 24-May-2010 00:51
These are great pictures. I personally think this place look very beautiful and it is a shame that the state will let it go to waste and not use it for other things instead of building New buildings. I enjoyed ur pictures they were great.
Jocelyn Owens 28-Feb-2010 03:11
these photos are fascinating :) good work. it's amazing to have a glimpse at something with such a vibrant and gloomy history
Jace 07-Feb-2010 11:11
Wow these photos are disturbing and yet so moving. I would find it hard to enter such a place knowing that horrible things had happened to people here. You are both very brave!
Phill 04-Nov-2009 06:42
Went to a haunted abandoned mental asylum in australia last night with all of my friends and i am telling you now i have never experienced anything like it in my life, saw ghosts, felt ghosts saw things move now this shit interests me so much, pretty cool.
Rachel 05-Aug-2009 14:37
I work at the Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri and I just wanted to compliment you on this. Very well done and thank you for sharing.
Haran Aguilar 06-May-2009 01:17
wheres this place at?
joanne hayes 08-Dec-2008 17:46
hi im joanne from south wales cardiff great britain i think u were very brave i would love 2 go there alone i love creepy places i no im as mad as them lol gret pictures love the basement where all the action waz and all the little details of how it might hav been.
Judith Moriarty 23-Dec-2007 03:44
I worked in such a place. This after my brother was murdered by sadistic staff ( a small %). There was much abuse in these places. When I reported ALL abuse many attempts were made on my life. I WON - there was big investigation and those guilty were FIRED. Others, no longer fearful, started to speak up. If you want to see life inside an institution look up the book Christmas in Purgatory. J.Moriarty, NH
stormchild youngblood 03-Oct-2007 17:44
this is such a scary place to have to go there and live. i can just imagine what went on in the minds of the patients that were housed there. we have a abandoned state hospital here in oregon i hope to get shots of it someday.
mark 18-Jul-2007 04:21
great photos! a friend of mine who is a photographer recently gave me some absolutely amazing photos of central state. after looking through dozens of photos from his visits and hearing him explain in detail what this place is like i became very intrigued. having recently moved back to indy (i had no idea this place existed!) i had to drive by just to look at it, gave me chills!! maybe one day i'll venture in! thanks for sharing, mark
Blaire 03-May-2007 22:09
wow.....mental mental mental mental mental mental!!!......ive been to one of those before.....
Guest 27-Apr-2007 14:39
An outstandig gallery of haunting images! I love this type of photography and you couldn't have found better subject matter. This place appears to be frozen in time...I think I could spend weeks...or months in a place like this (photographing of course) as there is so much subject matter. One question I have though is how did you get access to the inside? I would have thought this place would be securely locked up or even monitored by security cams. Congratulations again on a fantastic gallery!!
Nita 03-Apr-2006 21:59
The building that you visited appears so new! The institutions here in Britain have all closed down, but were architectural achievements of the Victorian age and have been restored or demolished, depending on the financial projections for the upkeep of ancient monuments,and their listed building status. I really need to find archive footage of real institutions in photographic form, actual historical facts and memories of people still living to tell the tale, experiences of families; told to abandon their children and get on with their lives,who believed doctors were infallible, and were confronted with the cold, hard, truth some forty years later when society squirmed around them and backtracked, and tried to involve them in individual planning around someone they batrely knew
Guest 10-Oct-2004 15:37
Very nice work.. interesting that different explorers in different locations often take the same type of shots.
Guest 15-Sep-2004 19:02
Interesting photos...remind me of the indie film SESSION 9...you should see it...

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0261983/
Ian (UK) 12-Sep-2004 17:04
I liked all of your pictures, they really do convey a story. However I would imagine that there were positive stories to come out of this institution as well. Psychiatric hospitals like general hospitals have a casualty rate,(in general a great deal higher) its just a few patients in so called "mental " institutions happen to occasionally pass away in dramatic circumstances.
Am looking forward to your next lot of photo's.
Guest 12-Sep-2004 06:53
Thank you for braving the dark and the roaches to get these hauntingly beautiful photographs! ~ Ouroboris
Dog Breath08-Sep-2004 20:19
great gallery. I'm jealous, I need to find a a place like this. I like the basement and chair pix the best...I looked at the rest of your galeries also, you have a definite eye for photos.
Guest 08-Sep-2004 19:41
Very nice gallery w/some haunting images. I especially like the Hallway. I think some of those would really benefit from being in B&W. Keep shooting...

Jb
Guest 08-Sep-2004 17:59
Saw the link in DPReview.
You did a great job photojurnalistic style. Told a nice story. Very creepy.
Jim
www.pbase.com/junglejim
Jeff 08-Sep-2004 17:35
The pictures in all of your galleries are truly inspirational; you have a very creative eye. It’s amazing that you can take such seemingly mundane subject matter and create beautiful images.
click on thumbnails for full image