Rust and Ruinism: Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Did you know that the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia, was once one of the largest hand-cut stonemasonry buildings in North America? Originally opened in 1864 to house 250 patients, it became a symbol of overcrowding and neglect by the 1950s, with over 2,400 patients crammed into its halls.

The asylum admitted patients for a wide range of reasons, from mental health issues to medical conditions like asthma and tuberculosis, and even for non-mental health reasons such as insubordination. This led to severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions.

In a desperate attempt to manage the situation, the West Virginia Lobotomy Project was launched in the early 1950s, aiming to reduce the number of patients. Sadly, the asylum’s closure in 1994 was ordered by the court, partly due to a class action lawsuit by concerned family members.

Reflecting on this history, it’s a stark reminder of the challenges faced in mental health care and the importance of humane treatment for all.