Traverse City State Hospital
| Location | Grand Traverse, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44.7553, -85.6406 |
| Access | Partly public - redeveloped as The Village, shops and trails, some buildings closed |
The Northern Michigan Asylum was built on a wooded rise above Traverse City, chosen in part for its fresh air, water, and distance from the noise of town. Construction began in 1882, and the main hospital opened in 1885 with room for hundreds of patients. Its architect, Gordon W. Lloyd, followed the Kirkbride plan: a central administration block with long wings extending outward, arranged to admit light and air. The design reflected a nineteenth-century belief that environment and routine could aid mental health.
The rest of this file is sealed. 4 more sections: what happened next, what people still report, and how to visit.
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