Spencer State Hospital was primarily a hospital for the insane and those suffering from mental illness. It opened in 1893 to take on patients from Weston State Hospital which was overpopulated at the time. The hospital remained in use until June of 1989. As you can see, there was originally no fencing around the building separating patients from the town, and patients were even allowed free access to and from the town and building.

Aerial View of Spencer State Hospital, Spencer, W. Va.

Identifier:: 047539
Collection Number:: A&M 2523
Title:: Aerial View of Spencer State Hospital, Spencer, W. Va.
Date:: Undated
Description:: Spencer State Hospital was primarily a hospital for the insane and those suffering from mental illness. It opened in 1893 to take on patients from Weston State Hospital which was overpopulated at the time. The hospital remained in use until June of 1989. As you can see, there was originally no fencing around the building separating patients from the town, and patients were even allowed free access to and from the town and building.
Acquisition Source:: Gravely Studios
Acquisition Method:: Gift
Medium:: film negative
Projects:: West Virginia History OnView