Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, Central State Hospital In Indiana Has Been (Mostly) Restored To Its Former Glory
By Tori Jane|Published March 21, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Once upon a time in the suburbs of Indianapolis, there was a booming institution with a name as terrifying as its halls were: the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane. It was opened in 1848 and initially served all of the state, but by the time 1905 rolled around it was only serving central Indiana residents; when we say “serving”, we mean “institutionalizing”, and it wasn’t long before rumors of abuse and other nasty things began swirling. Despite the controversy over its treatment of patients, the hospital remained open until 1994, when allegations finally caught up with the place (among other major issues).
At one point, the entire campus was enormous and booming, employing thousands and housing more.
Over time, even before officially closing its doors in the 1990s, the grounds underwent numerous changes and demolitions.
By the 1970s, most of the original buildings had already been destroyed, having been declared unsafe to occupy and razed. Only a few original structures remained.
In place of the old buildings, newer brick ones were built and business continued as usual until the closure of (almost) the entire facility in the 90s. From then on, everything was simply left to decay, forgotten by all except for those interested in urban exploration (and those living close enough to see the eyesore the place was turning into).
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The oldest building still standing on the grounds was- and is - the old power house, which was built in 1886.
Other "elderbuildings" include the old Pathology building, which was built in 1895 (and ended up becoming one of the only buildings to be repurposed before the rest of the grounds closed), and a building whose purpose is unknown.
However, none of this would spell the end for the campus: after all, in 1969, the Pathology building was given a new purpose. It became the Indiana Medical History Museum, and this would spare it from the urban decay the rest of the grounds was destined for.
But the decay was not to last: in 2003, the city of Indianapolis purchased the property with the intention of reinventing it.
In 2006, the grounds were sold to a developer, and plans were officially underway to restore, revive, and reuse the property and the historic buildings on it. As of 2014, the administrative building was transformed into apartments and renamed the Central State Mansion. During the same year, the grounds were used as a set for a documentary.
Today, you can still visit the Indiana Medical History Museum - and it looks much the same as it did back in the days before the rest of the campus was left for dead.
Further plans for the area include green space, living areas, shops, and more. It's always amazing to watch a place that was once entirely neglected receive new life - and Central State Hospital remains a favorite example.
Important note: the old Pathology building is in desperate need of our help! It needs to undergo some vital repairs, and the IMHM is looking for donations to help. If you’re interested in contributing, be sure to check out the IMHM website. For more information about the Indiana Medical History Museum, including hours and touring info, be sure to check out the official website as well.
