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Monday, June 18, 2018

TERRELL STATE (MENTAL) HOSPITAL––TEXAS

(Photo Series #1)
Links @ Bottom of Page For More Photos

Enjoy my first set in a photo series of the famous Texas mental hospital at Terrell, TX. The parents and I had a pleasant stop over after a great lunch at HAM ORCHARD (Terrell), while celebrating Father's Day weekend.

Although some buildings are administration (first 3 photos) and a few others are in active service, the buildings you'll see in these photographs are no longer in use and falling into ruin. There is a tremendous history here, even though the original 1885 hospital was lost. If only these structures and walls could talk. Even so, these pictures are at least worth 1000 words apiece, right? So join me on my afternoon trip into a daylight nightmare, that only touches on the darkness and chaos, struggle and hopelessness, and morbid isolation which confounded the minds that inhabited these walls.

TERRELL STATE HOSPITAL. Terrell State Hospital was opened as a regional psychiatric hospital in July 1885. During the late nineteenth century, due to overcrowding in the state's only psychiatric treatment facility, located at Austin, eligible patients throughout Texas were often confined to county jails and poorhouses, both places incapable of treating the mentally ill. CONT. READING HERE: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/sbt01

NOTE: The first picture is the original TERRELL STATE HOSPITAL, which is no longer standing. The second (overhead) photo of the TERRELL STATE HOSPITAL campus was found online, and meant to give some reference.

"Click" on pics to enlarge.