ATHENS COUNTY OHIO - Athens State Hospital - From "The Centennial Atlas of
Athens County Ohio" 1905 Edition Compiled and Edited by Fred W. Bush
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Lori
mailto:zofchak@frognet.net
http://www.frognet.net/~mreds/genealogy.html
http://www.frognet.net/~achsm
September 22, 1998
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Athens State Hospital

From "The Centennial Atlas of Athens County Ohio" 1905 Edition Compiled
and Edited by Fred W. Bush

"....located across the Hocking, southwest of the city of Athens and in
full view of many of her citizens.

"This institution, now one of the largest in the State, was provided for
by legislative enactment of April 13, 1867. Dr. W. P. Johnson was then
the representative of Athens county. There was much competition for the
location of the Hospital, but finally Athens secured it by her citizens
buying and donating to the State one hundred and fifty acres of land
known as the Coates farm. The corner stone was laid November 5, 1868,
the ceremonies being conducted by the officers of the Grand Masonic
lodge of Ohio, and not less than one thousand members of the order from
various parts of the State were present. In the corner stone were
placed: Holy Bible; constitution of Ohio and all States of the Union;
names of members Fifty-eighth General Assembly; names of State officers;
proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ohio; laws of Ohio 1867; program of
days proceedings, roll of members of Paramuthia Lodge No 25; copy
Cincinnati Commercial; Cincinnati Gazette; Cincinnati Chronicle; Weekly
Enquirer; Athens Messenger; specimen of coins of the United STates and
list of grand officers of Ohio Masons.

The building was completed and furnished for reception of patients,
January, 1874. The original building was 853 feet in length and was 4072
feet around, but many additions have been added since then. Four new and
commodious cottages have been added within the past two years, and at
this time 1294 patients are being taken care of in the building. The
park or grounds about the building as the picture indicates, contains
some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the State. Nearly all the
walks and drives are paved, and all the patients except the helpless and
decrepit are given an airing every day of the year that the weather will
permit. A beautiful location, excellent water, picturesque surroundings
makes this indeed an ideal spot for taking care of the State's mentally
unfortunate."

This hospital didn't just house the "mentally unfortunate" but also had
a TB hospital and probably some others. It was completely self sufficent
with the patients taking care of the gardens and farm animals. Up until
recent times, very little if any tax money was needed to run the place
unlike today's new hospital. If you'd be interested in a more thorough
history, you can contact the Athens County Historical Society & Museum,
65 N. Court Street, Athens, Ohio 45701, 740-592-2280. I'm sure Jo has
quite a bit more info in her head than I have and she would be able to
direct you to what is available. It's a very interesting place. Knowing
when it was built and how difficult it would have been at the time to
build such a massive structure. It was't all peaches and cream either.
The basement area, I'm sure, had many horror stories.

This property was recently bought by Ohio University and is currently
being used for some offices as well as the Kennedy Museum and Linn Hall.
They display various collections and art work including art from the
high, middle, and grade schools.

Lori