Central State Hospital

We visited a most fascinating complex today. I would go so far as to say, probably the most interesting thing we will see during this entire trip!

Just outside Milledgeville, GA there is a very large parcel of property with a wide assortment of buildings. Currently known as the Central State Hospital but once called the Georgia State Lunatic Asylum. Forty-some buildings in various states of decay sit on 100s of acres surrounding a central pecan grove. Built in the 1820s to house the mentally ill, it became the largest such facility in the world!

Sadly, back in those days there was no definitive test to determine if someone belonged in an asylum. So people from all walks of life could, and were, admitted here. Clinically ill or not. Also, back in that day there were some unorthodox methods of treating patients. To add to that, most of the staff were not even trained therapists. Sadly, this led to many patients being 'mistreated' rather 'treated'. A sad and checkered past to say the least, but at the same time, incredibly fascinating!

This particular building is the 'Jones Building' and served as a general purpose hospital.

The vast majority of the complex shutdown in the 70s, but a few buildings remained open such as the 'Powell Building'.

Seen here, the Powell Building has been meticulously maintained, and still functions, to a much lesser degree, as a psychiatric institution!