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Kirkbride's proposal for psychiatric hospitals specified that corridors be 12 feet wide, and that ceilings be 12 or 13 feet high. In the center building the main corridors were to be 16 feet wide, with ceilings of 18 feet. In some places, the corridors were used as sitting rooms. The alcoves were also a feature of his plans, with the recommendation that they be on the sunnier side of the building (if only on one side) to get as much natural light as possible.

Kirkbride's original specification for psychiatric hospitals was gas lighting, because (at that time) it was the "safest, neatest, and most convenient."

These photos are so illustrative of depression--the being alone, face hidden, back turned on the world, the emptiness, loss of hope, wanting to get away from the pain...and yet, reaching, struggling to get out, with the wings symbolizing a purity of spirit and remnants of faith. When I imagine the pictures that represent my own battle with depression, this is what I see. I also see mental health from a social work perspective, and sense the attempts to connect with the patient, to restore some trust in life and people, to guide the person back to health.

the rusty parts look like small rockets, under neath the window!

If you look through the window on the back of the room, it looks like a scary face, its horrible!! V.evil looking!!

you are all brainless going into buildings you dont know the danger i know how bad it is think before you enter

I am back, I am now leaning towards it being the JUMBO a tug owned by cornell towing. This is a very old iron hull I feel, look at the lack of wasting on it. Very little deep rusting. Studied my photos and it looks to be where I last photographed the JUMBO, anybody out there have a decent photo showing the hull on the JUMBO? That could solve the mystery. I just ordered a book on Cornell so that, I hope, should have a decent photo of JUMBO. To be continued.

At the time yes

I'm not defending any real abuse or brutality, but a good deal of past treatment that we consider abusive today, was considered "state of the art" in its time. These hospitals were founded with the intent of helping people, not dehumanizing and warehousing them. But then the "system" (which is ALL of us), with its lack of financial support, took over.

theres like 10 times more graffiti then that now.

theres soooo much graffiti there now.
its sad ): but if you saw it now, its so un clean

ive driven past it the windows glow orange at night

Nice set of photos Motts. So the hotel is still standing right?? I hope they do re-do the hotel and get it up and running again. Not cheap but its a shame when we waste all these buildings instead of reusing them. Thanks again Motts :)

Its a pretty scary Presidential Suite if you ask me....not very nice maybe back in its day it was....any pictures anyone?? Those before & after are always great to see. Nice shot though Motts......its very green isn't it....

I hope they do re-open it and its not torn down...they re-opened the Book-Cadellic (spelling) here in Michigan. I haven't been to it but from reading in the papers here its suppose to be beautiful. Its great when they re-open places. I do hope they can do that to this place as well....otherwise what a waste really....