The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: Spirits Of Sorrow

Exploring the Dark History and Paranormal Claims of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum:

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, also known as the Weston State Hospital, opened to patients in 1864 in West Virginia. Although the word "lunatic" was commonly used in the mid-19th century to describe those with mental illness, it has fallen out of use in today's times due to the negative connotations. However, the name is part of its historical legacy and I’ll often be referring to it as both. 

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was built as part of the Kirkbride Plan, with the intention to provide a peaceful and therapeutic environment for patients. However, it suffered from overcrowding and poor conditions, which were not inherent to the Kirkbride Plan. The plan aimed to provide spacious facilities in scenic locations with a hierarchical layout and a range of treatments. Despite its flaws, the Kirkbride Plan remains significant in mental health history. 

During the Civil War in 1861, the asylum was used as a military barracks and training center while in the early stages of construction. It is the largest hand-cut sandstone building in the country, second in the world, and is thought to be a prime example of the Stone Tape Theory, where the material of the building can record and playback past events. Designed to house and treat the mentally ill, over the course of its 130 years of operation, it housed thousands of patients, many of whom were subjected to cruel and inhumane treatments. 

Originally designed to house 250 patients, by the 1950s, it had thousands of patients, and was overpopulated for most of its operation. The overcrowding was so severe and people were dying left and right, that they had to start burying bodies on the grounds!  

The treatments disguised as torture ranged from lobotomies, to electroshock therapy, insulin therapy, and hydrotherapy, are a stark reminder of the dark history of mental health treatment. Patients with mental illnesses, including OCD, anxiety, PTSD, (or anything really) were subjected to these inhumane and painful treatments that left them dead or with lifelong physical and emotional scars. 

It's a chilling reminder of how little we understood about mental illness in the past and how vital it is to provide compassionate and effective mental health care today. As we learn from the past, we must continue to work towards creating a mental health care system that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of all individuals. 

And the patients? Anyone could be admitted, including societal outcasts and even murderers and violent offenders.  The reasons for admission were long and disturbingly arbitrary, including "laziness," "egotism," "bad company," and "asthma." 

Once admitted, some patients were never released, regardless of their condition. It's estimated that tens of thousands of people were housed here, many of whom were there for no other reason than being a societal outcast. Disturbingly, it didn't close until 1994, and during that time, I was alive while the place was still operating. It was shut down by the state due to changes in patient treatment and the building's deterioration. 

The Paranormal Claims and Activity:

Over the years, visitors of the asylum have reported feeling a wide range of activity and an oppressive atmosphere, as if the spirits of the tortured patients still linger there. Some claimed to have been scratched or pushed by unseen forces, while others have felt sensations of being choked. Disembodied voices and unexplained phenomena are also quite common, leading many to believe that the patients' spirits still haunt the building. 

The asylum's past is shrouded in mystery and terror, and the idea of entering it alone is enough to make even the bravest souls shake with fear. Many believe that the spirits of the patients who suffered and died at the hospital still haunt the building to this day.  

A common spirit that is often reported is a spirit named Lilly, who is thought to be the child of a patient. Lilly is notorious for manipulating objects, particularly balls, leaving those who witness her otherworldly powers deeply unsettled. 

A darker entity that sends shivers down the spine is known as “The Creeper,” it creeps along the ceilings silently stalking its unsuspecting victims, and instilling fear and madness in those who catch even a glimpse of its terrifying form. 

The Documented Deaths:

Before we continue our journey into the documented deaths at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, be warned that the stories are not for the faint of heart. What happened within the walls of this facility are shrouded in darkness and despair, and the tales of the deceased still echo through the empty halls to this day. In 1987, Dean Metheny, a 49-year-old mute man who was stuck in a childlike state, was packed in a room with two criminally insane serial killers. 

One night, they forced him to hang from a bedsheet, using a pipe as a pulley system, and lowered him only to repeat the process until they got bored. Then they smashed his head in with a bedpost, killing him in a horrific manner. The tragedy of Dean Metheny's murder has left an indelible mark on the asylum. Are you brave enough to explore the dark history of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and encounter the ghosts of those who suffered there? 

Deep within the history of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum lies a lesser-known tale of horror. It’s the story of Muriel Creamer. In 1963, Muriel was admitted to the psychiatric hospital, but her life was cut short just a week later. She was found dead in her room with a bedsheet wrapped tightly around her neck. The cause of her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation. The perpetrator was Wanda Janes, another patient who freely admitted to strangling Muriel. Her reason? Muriel had allegedly made improper advances towards her.

What makes Muriel's case particularly disturbing is that it took place in a violent female ward of the psychiatric hospital. If the opposing patient was not violent, then why was she being kept in the violent ward in a seclusion dorm? Muriel's husband actually attempted to sue the state of West Virginia for wrongful death, but the case was dismissed on the grounds that the state had no duty or ability to know that Wanda was violent. 

It raises questions about the duty of care towards patients in state-run institutions. These tragic events serve as a dark reminder of the horrors that can take place in these institutions and the urgent need for greater accountability and reform in the mental healthcare system. 

One notorious figure in the history of the asylum is Walter Freeman, who famously performed 228 lobotomies in just 12 days at the institution. This barbaric procedure involved severing connections in the brain in an attempt to treat mental illness– often without proper anesthesia or follow-up care. The devastating consequences of these lobotomies are numerous, including many patients suffering from permanent brain damage or death. 

In my attempt to gather more information about the asylum, I reached out to former nurses who worked at the facility. Unfortunately, I quickly learned that the ones who are still living, none of them were willing to speak about their experiences. It's understandable that they may not want to revisit what was likely a traumatic and difficult period in their lives, but their reluctance to share only adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the Asylum. It's clear that the asylum holds many secrets, and perhaps the only way to uncover them is through the accounts of those who lived and worked within its walls. 

During my research, I also spoke to several locals who grew up in the area and they shared with me some unsettling memories of the asylum. They recalled how the sirens would go off at all hours of the day and night, and how it was a normal thing for them to hear. The wailing of the sirens signified a patient escape, a common occurrence at the asylum. The escapees would wander through the surrounding woods and farmland, causing panic and fear among the local residents. The asylum's reputation as a place of danger and terror was well-known throughout the community, and it's no wonder that the sound of the sirens became a source of dread for those who lived nearby.

The Future of the Asylum:

Today, the Weston State Hospital, Trans-Allegheny, stands as a monument to the history of mental health care in the United States. Guided tours are available to visitors, allowing them to explore the grounds and learn about the hospital's dark past. The building has also been used as a filming location for various movies and TV shows, including the Netflix series "Mindhunter." The Weston State Hospital is a reminder of the troubled history of mental health care in the United States. 

The hospital's legacy is one of neglect and abuse, but it also serves as a testament to the resilience of those who were institutionalized there. The asylum remains a powerful reminder of the dark past of early psychiatric treatment and the importance of mental health advocacy today. If you're brave enough to visit the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, be sure to do so with respect and caution. 

Check out the full episode below at The Paranormal Lounge! 

https://linktr.ee/paranormallounge