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Residents who were sent to Western Center were sent there because there was no other place to take them. They were not able to be rehabilitated. This was the last stop. If I'm not mistaken, the residents were sterilized after being admitted to prevent pregnancy. Most of these people would not have been likely to carry a viable baby to full term due to their medical conditions anyway.

Yes, that is Southpointe in the background, most likely part of the office complex. As far as the rolling country---welcome to western Pennsylvania.

I think this was one of the rooms where families would visit with the residents. When you went there, you signed in and a worker would go get the person you were visiting and wheel them out for your visit. Unless the resident had specific restrictions, you could wheel them outside around on the grounds while you visited with them.

Welcome to the office of Sweeney Todd!

I think Claudia is right about this one. From the mid 1960's until it closed in 2000, this was an institution primarily for people with severe mental retardation. My aunt was a resident at Western Center for several years until she passed away there from complications due to her condition in 1984. I remember visiting her with my family in the summers when I was a little kid. It was so sad to see all those people there in the condition they were in. But my aunt was always cheered up when my Grandma would visit. Despite having the mental abilities of a 1-1/2 year old, a vocabulary of 2 words, and being legally blind she was always happy to see her mom. One of the two words she ever knew all her life was "Mum". I think that speaks volumes about the strength of the bond between a mother and her children.

But this wash tub I think is elevated so a gurney can be wheeled right up beside it and the patient easily placed into it for bathing. I don't think this was the kind of hospital that perfomed operations, autopsies, and that sort of thing. It was more of a residential institution for the severly mentally handicapped.

Had to be made by one instrument. Looks like it was done with permanent markers rather than scratched in like with a fork. Like one of those instruments that would hold several pieces of chalk or several markers at one time used to draw lines on a chalkboard/marker board to write musical notes. Notice how the line on the outer curve of the letter "P" is wider than the others, as if the vandal put a little more pressure on that side of the marker instrument as they formed the curve of the letter "P".

How could this poor old building be left there to rot.

IM very angry to see this once beutiful building in such poor shape. This building should have been protected.

I have to agree, to me its looks like a vent from I don't know air conditioner or something. But that medication stuff I to agree.

hey motts,
I like to join this comment. I'm not a spy. But I'm interresting in this story of pinnhurst. what type of books are they thats piled up on the floor? I'm just wondering. I hope not any trouble.

sorry I forgot some in there when you see for at it , I ment from looking at it and about the part it looks like is old i ment Its look like its old and cracked. please forgive

look at the windows, no affence but it look its old and cracked. But this place for at it,give me creeps. I don't work and I'm not a student but if you don't mind I would to hear alot of history about this poor place.

'Where the sun cannot reach,' and where the aching heart cannot feel loved...