Abandoned Insane Asylum in Staunton, Virginia - Exploring the DeJarnette Sanitarium

[@Tea_SR]

Gonna be heading there hopefully soon to explore, thanks for the awesome footage Glenn!

[@samanthamc2817]

I’ve been there as well. I kept finding myself in room 129D. I couldn’t escape that room. I didn’t explore to the extent you did but some parts gave me the creeps. I got a really eerie feeling at the jail cells and decided to leave. Definitely worth checking out

[@EmperorMays]

Grew up in Staunton and remember my dad mentioning this and passing by it often. After moving between two different areas I finally settled in a county not too far from it. It's interesting to finally see whats inside after all these years

[@randyfloyd17]

I have been doing my ancestry now for close to six months. I am horrified to learn where I come from. This sanatorium was started by Dr. Joseph Dejarnett, who is my great uncle. His brother James is my paternal great grandfather. This is the black sheep of my family, and learning about this just makes me more horrified about all of the things that I don’t know about my lineage. My entire heart is with everyone who has been affected by this, especially knowing that my brother is autistic and would’ve been killed by the hands of our ancestor.

[@mariahray4666]

I'm sorry. I can never get past the way people say Staunton...it's stan-ton...sorry y'all...if you're from around there, you know lol

[@jasonromine1162]

I live in Virginia. We're the ones who are wrong. We definitely pronounce incorrectly. The rest of the world is right. It's spelled STON-ton. That said, I pronounce it STAN-ton, because I live here and I know how the locals say it. But it should be pronounced STON-ton.

[@mariahray4666]

@@jasonromine1162 yeah but a lot of us from the area correct people. I live in the next county over, and my brother lives in Staunton. Phonetically yeah, we pronounce it different but we say it based on why it’s named Staunton, Lady Staunton, the 1st governors wife

[@SIN3JASON]

Lol Stannnnn-Tonnnnnnn😅

[@notacomputer5486]

Thanks for the video! Just visited the place and couldn't go farther in due to a lack of light. Really exciting to see how it looks farther in from the entrance!

[@ActorsReal2Reel]

Dude just debunked the paranormal activity shows with one KZbin video. This is suppose to be one of the most haunted places on earth and dude just casually traveled through like a realtor.

[@joshrosa2147]

Lol he went in broad daylight

[@jpc6485]

@@joshrosa2147 ive been at night, nothing happened

[@wvvwguy86]

In the world 😂😂😂 not even one of the most haunted in the state…

[@feliciagordon3886]

😂😂😂 real shit like wtf 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ we just went here last nite shit is creepy AF and dark AF omg

[@elijaheaton755]

@@wvvwguy86yes it is, especially the below ground part

[@gggbeatcanelo2985]

There’s 2 locations for dejarnette. The sanitarium and the children’s hospital both equally disturbing historically. When you really learn about both locations it’s more terrifying knowing the history than the possible paranormal

[@JoeySavage]

I use to live there I was in the children's hospital at the time 1996 Im making plans to visit soon

[@gggbeatcanelo2985]

@@JoeySavage that’s a story to tell I bet, was it the renovated one? It’s honestly confusing because the old locations are sorta degraded and the newer hospital is on top of part of the old one as well

[@bunnysthndr]

the children's hospital as you call it wasn't a part of Dejarnetts Asylum. it was simply named after him and it was also a place for adolescents whom got themselves into trouble and were a disciplinary problem and it was renamed again because Staunton wants to forget the horror associated with Joseph Dejarnett whom was revered during the Eugenics Era.

[@bunnysthndr]

GGG- where are you talking about in regards to a children's hospital? what location?

[@TheEbonyMystique]

I'm staying here this week. It's a little creepy. The spiral steps, staircases, wooden floors feel very unstable. Walking the grounds at night gave me a bit of anxiety. One side of the hotel near the graveyard doesn't have lights. It feels very heavy inside the buildings. I love how it seems like a time capsule of the time it was built. Aside from the strange yelling I heard, probably in my head because my man didn't hear it, nothing unusual happened.

[@princekeiii]

oh nah

[@TheEbonyMystique]

@princekeiii 🤣

[@fionabrennan9148]

Very cool video! I appreciate your straightforward walkthrough w/out the “paranormal” clickbait of every other KZbinr. Sad to see such a beautiful, historic structure in disrepair. All the graffiti too just ruins it.

[@Livie.Liv3]

my great grandmother worked there as a nurse

[@edrodriguez3922]

how hilarious would it be if Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Jason Voorhees come out of nowhere and chased this guy all over the place?😂

[@wyattc.4455]

Went today almost missed the building because Waze was going to take me further along some roads. Once you see the MCDonalds and Sheetz, the asylum is to the left on the hill with trees all around it. Skirt around the trees from the Sheetz station and you’ll find a no trespassing sign on the tree to the left of the entrance to the property. Some things have changed since this video came out. The slat he had to duck under to get in is not even there anymore, you can just walk right into the building. I was only on the first floor for a few minutes before I saw a man down the hallway looking back at me. He didn’t seem threatening, but if you’re trespassing, everyone is a threat. There was a big pile of seemingly fresh, black dirt outside too, which made me think something will soon happen to the property. I want to go back sometime when it isn’t just me. Even before entering, as I was putting my respirator on to protect from the asbestos, I heard someone walking on metal - that distinct sound a metal walkway makes coming from above me. (It also couldn’t have been the man I saw given the time frame in which both events happened.) There are three possibilities as to who was there. The man I couldn’t make out fully but was clearly looking back at me down the hallway didn’t yell or run after me, which means he wasn’t security or police. I also didn’t make out a respirator or headlamp on his head, so I doubt he was construction/demolition. They were either squatters or other explorers. I didn’t feel any kind of negative energy or anything but I only got to check out the first floor left half of the building, being only around 4% of the area before seeing the man. I left because I didn’t want a possible misdemeanor on my record. But I will say, the place has an allure and the hill it’s on provides a beautiful view. Do not under any circumstances go without a respirator mask that is rated to filter Asbestos. It is EVERYWHERE in there. Also, there is broken glass all over the floors.

[@NoOne-du9xe]

hey, I made a trip to the asylum awhile ago, and I'd love to connect with you and have a podcast where we talk about exploring, lmk if interested, thanks!

[@wyattc.4455]

@@NoOne-du9xe hey that sounds cool. I don’t know the best way to get in contact with you through these comments but it would be cool to have someone to talk to about urbexing. (Maybe if you have a burner email or something so we can get in touch and I’ll give you my number.) I went a second time not too long after I wrote the original comment and explored most of that old asylum. Some places were so decrepit I didn’t trust the ceiling even. I want to go back sometime at night.

[@Tacticalburrito69]

@@wyattc.4455i go there alot you should link up with me and explore that place

[@3ombieautopilot]

Have you ever spotted a person inside an abandoned place? I bet it would have been super creepy

[@wyattc.4455]

I went today and there was a man there and footsteps on another floor. I left once I saw him down the hallway. It was unsettling but nothing about him was threatening. It also helped that the two swing doors were between us.

[@elijaheaton755]

Was that a boiler or a cremator

[@mariekatherine5238]

Hey! I’ve been in there! Vacation, 2017! There’s lots more graffiti now, and is much more deteriorated. The outside is more overgrown and more windows broken. I got in through the front door because the chain was sawn through by someone before me. Someone had used a toilet. There was a big turd, certainly human, in a toilet. You walk really fast! I was a lot more cautious and slow as not to make noise because there were people on the porch of the brick house closest by. The wooden floors were okay, just a little creaky. I have a bit of brick from the ground outside as a souvenir. BTW, the town is pronounced /Stan/ tun/. Staun rhymes with /fan/.

[@savagesn]

When you said "keeping an eye out for stairs" at first I thought you meant stares... creeped me out for a moment!

[@PJ-gq1kh]

Same lmao

[@JoeyWebber955]

I would like to go through this place as well . I just did an overnight at the old St. Albans in Radford last friday .

[@aniruddha4119]

This pov is giving me resident evil vibes

[@kimberlymoxley104]

In all honesty...I'm amazed at how well she's holding up! The roof has got to be gone by now.

[@nathanielyount4735]

No I want there 2 days ago and it still holding up good

[@Z3R0F0CUS]

Yep. I live 30 minutes from there

[@lukeboyer808]

Must have been a really beautiful building back in it’s day. Sad knowing what all happened here though.

[@robertallen1662]

I went there about a year ago when traveling to Northern va. I looked in that open entrance and decided not to go in. To bad it's so trashed inside. Thanks for the video.

[@synonymbun]

We closed it off because of asbestos and other weird cancer causing stuff YEARS ago. Fun fact.

[@89visionartistry89]

Searching for my last name on Google at 2 a.m. How astonishingly ironic it is I would find an insane asylum with my name stamped on it.

[@randyfloyd17]

You’re a Dejarnett to? This is my great uncles sanatorium. I would love to connect with you. James Dejournet, who was Dr. Joseph Dejarnett‘s brother is my paternal great grandfather.

[@89visionartistry89]

Yup, I actually have a DeJournett/DeJarnett/genealogy book my uncle authored. If you have any other family names I can try to find them in the book.

[@thurstonpowell8687]

You look like some of my clients trying to escape while at the same time bewildered

[@m0rior]

It's pronounced stant-on not staunt-on, but other than that wonderful video

[@babeena_gt_3645]

You can always tell when a person hasn't been there or isn't from there because they almost always pronounce it wrong 😂🤣😂🤣

[@bunnysthndr]

we locals dont pronounce the U in Staunton but an outsider would

[@lukeboyer808]

Spoken like a true Virginian brother

[@caraiya]

That's the first thing that I caught on. 😂 I was like, "It's STAN-*T*ON!!" The u is missing, the 2nd t is there, just a soft drop.

[@shenandoahwildcat]

Is it legal to tour here without a permit? I just don’t want to get into any legal trouble trying to explore any feedback would be appreciated! Thank you.

[@Z3R0F0CUS]

No, you will get a trespassing fine but if you park at the sheetz near there and walk over you will come to the side door and if the cops come you have a straight shot to get to ur car. But go in with a group of people. My buddy has videos of a bird with 2 eyes on each side of its head and it has hissing and drooling and foaming out the mouth. And when he went back there was an old man shooting heroin and he said good luck in there. So if you do go. Be careful

[@fricknjeep]

neat looking place john

[@martinxplo]

Fantastic location!! Cool vid 🤗👍👍

[@gregtrail3491]

Im part of a paranormal investigator group out of Richmond VA. Is this place still around and easy to get into?

[@michaelhester9230]

I’m in Staunton for the weekend and yep it’s still there.

[@willstewart9539]

Still there on Apr. 7, 2024. Parked close to it and walked right up to the back of it, no problem. Did NOT go in.😂

[@liv-c2i]

all those trees around the property are gone now. it’s just wide open fields now and there’s a lot more people coming up there

[@PJ-gq1kh]

How did you get in? There are 2 ways I found but it was gated and had a no trespassing sign.

[@cr1490]

Is this the Blackburn inn & conference?

[@tommonaco9330]

Yes

[@readysetgo8706]

Why is there so much light in some of the hallways? Skylights?

[@georgekrause1493]

It looks like the lights are still on first floor

[@C4Explore]

Nice video, this is a spooky place! Did you ever make it to the WSH complex near there, before it was demolished?

[@Unknown_Ooh]

It's not demolished all the way yet

[@bigmanbearded680]

I live a mile away from this place

[@Fungi_tripper]

I was there as a patient almost 30 years ago when I was 15

[@drhotchkiss]

I worked there from 80- 84. Adolescent hall.3d floor.

[@debluvelders5311]

How could you come to explore the place and not bring enough light?

[@valkyrie1066]

That's twenty minutes away. See; if they are there I'll be able to hear them speak. Not quite sure about being verbally assaulted by a group of desperate mental patients. Not sure I can help them, and that will make me very sad as I hear their stories. I'd at least want to clean up a little.

[@hunterjenkins5671]

iv been it’s really crazy bc of all the sperets

[@korodwyer1270]

Can see it from Rt 81. It looks like a college, majectic... until you learn what it was

[@krystalpistal6734]

Shame on the city of Staunton and the state of Virginia to allow this building to deteriorate! Once a beautiful building. I worked there for 10 years with autistic children

[@bunnysthndr]

not the city's fault nor The frontier museum whom now owns it.Its full of asbestos and the cost to tear down is beyond imagination. And Joseph Dejarnett is a disgraceful,shameful,embarrassing part of Staunton's history and his name and association to Staunton is and has been removed as much as possible. The spiral staircase was saved tho! it's in the Blackfriars Theater I believe at the old Western State Hospital property!

[@dtnnos7851]

The place was terrible and children was assulted sexually tortured and everything

[@drhotchkiss]

​@@dtnnos7851 bullshit. I worked there in the 80s

[@Itz_gonna_be_fine]

I have to live next to this place, so HAVE FUN!

[@AdventureswithBeck]

Wow what a cool spot to find! Lots of graffiti there for sure has to be the local hang out lol nice explore and video!

[@thurstonpowell8687]

People who were committed never left, not only the confines of the hospital grounds, but spent their lives never having been outside their ward which remained locked for their life times unless they could do some menial task, most didn't have an IQ high enough to hold a cup of water or use utensils to feed themselves. Their lives were limited by their genetic defect to the compassion of the state.

[@drhotchkiss]

That's not true. I worked at dejarnette in the 80s. Very familiar with wsh.

[@heavenmiracle8715]

I live in Staunton Virginia and have always wanted to go inside but the police have been giving so many tickets for trespassers & it’s said to have a toxic gas inside that causes cancer but the history of this place is insane and horrific

[@tanner7018]

Is it still standing? I would absolutely make the drive down to there but I cannot seem to find anything recent on it.

[@mclovin5062]

@@tanner7018 yes it is still standing!! It is slowly caving down me and my friends maybe about 1 month ago we tried our best to get inside late at night and we didn’t make it very far we were presented by Staunton police,be on the watch out lots of asbestos in the building.lots of homeless people inside the building as well as what the cops saids,be safe!!

[@itzchaaadtv4406]

@@mclovin5062 what did the staunton police do to you once you got caught ?

[@tanner7018]

@@mclovin5062 I actually ended up going around feburary-ish! definitely worth the drive, jus the outside of the building was crazy cool. didn't see any police, and wore asbestos masks on the inside. super cool. there were two places where you could tell someone lived there. might go back next winter. mold is probably super bad in the summer.

[@salamisticc]

@Treshawn same here that ivy is still going strong all over that bad boy 😂

[@angelafitzgerald7407]

Historical landmark like that, sad and disturbing it can not be restored, because I know it can be restored, it's sad teens going in there marking it up, they need to get crayons and a coloring book and stay home and play Seriously.

[@drhotchkiss]

I worked there , you don't know what kids with a mental illness can be like

[@bdpage2023]

Not how you remembered it? Where's your old room?

[@elijaheaton755]

Thank you for not leaving more graffiti

[@Antoxaabsolut]

it looks like, I Am Legend :) greetings from germany, Antoxa and django

[@kimberlymoxley104]

WOW I haven't been there in ages...wholly Mollie

[@81darron]

I used to sleep in there when i was homeless and its full asbestos so I wouldn’t recommend going in there

[@RobRVA]

Is this the one that was converted to a hotel?

[@stradaview2000]

The hotel is awesome. They do kinda scrub their past, but the people, rooms, vibe and location - all awesome. Regardless of the history, you can’t blame the buildings. Thanks to Staunton for not demolishing them to replace with some flaccid franchise hotel box and a CVS.

[@RobRVA]

@@stradaview2000 my family is staying there in December can't wait to see it.

[@stradaview2000]

@@RobRVA - they did an awesome Job renovating it and it's also walking distance to downtown Staunton. And dog-friendly! Sure it has a dark past, but it's better to remember it than erase it. Also, there are a lot of let's say mythological comments here that have just been baked in by online lore of the creepypasta storytelling. The eugenics and forced sterilization past, though, are horrid and should be discussed, not scrubbed but it's not fair to pin that on the town, or the wonderful people working there today.

[@jacobthetyrantking]

I've been there

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

you need a proper headlamp like a thrunite or nitecore

[@tonyslaughter8954]

If those walls could talk!

[@blakeclark1133]

I stayed there in the mid 2000's for about 3 months. Place isn't haunted but the staff treated the patients like shit. That was scary as fuck.

[@Idonthaveanyidea391]

my last name is campbell too

[@BrianHall-rq9ot]

I have a picture of me in the boiler 😂

[@whataworld8378]

Too fast. And without light they turned around before entering the main area, top floor.

[@charlieprice6855]

On the other side of the Building is the graveyard. spoky place to see🤪

[@PJ-gq1kh]

Lmaoo the emoji

[@PJ-gq1kh]

Wanna explore it together

[@drhotchkiss]

There's no grave yard there .

[@H2G2Stp]

I lived here for a year

[@Lola-lh5kl]

Got to admit these places are beautiful though

[@SIN3JASON]

Yeah... Unless you remember seeing this place first hand as a child. Lol I say light it on fire and burn it to the ground and rebuild a strip mall over top of it. Lol 😆

[@robertrobinson3788]

It's the big house.🤗

[@smithguy3328]

i live here its actually pronouced stanton

[@michaelmarkum61]

So you call it being a urban explorer. What I see is breaking and entering. I walked in to a place with no doors and no trespassing signs around and got 5 years for what you done. I didn't destroy nothing or anything. I guess your an explorer is the difference. I live in Virginia and it's different strokes for different folks for sure.

[@Balsley1105]

STAN-TON, get it right

[@C4Explore]

Noooo! That U confuses everything!! Like the town of Nevada, MO...pronounced Neh-vaid-uh.

[@angelafitzgerald7407]

The historical building can not help what went on, why take it out on this beauty Seriously.

[@robertrobinson3788]

They can turn it into a grocery store....

[@Idonthaveanyidea391]

i have a video of this place too

[@whymelly1684]

Hey man did u see any security and if so where are they

[@m0rior]

Haven't been inside but I drive past it alot and there's usually no cops

[@AaronCasey49]

Such a cool place! We stayed in a hotel that overlooked the location you were exploring, and I flew a drone around a bit. I had some fun with the edit, but wanted to share it with you! Subscribed to your channel :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/moaqmXWPr5eFgdE

[@MatthewLilly-np5js]

I think people need to stop vandalizing stuff that is historically sorry but I do

[@drhotchkiss]

I worked there in the 80s, there are an abundance of erroneous comments here .

[@reidvanness5429]

I agree.i was there in 1985 after failing at a suicide attempt and my family not having insurance.I am forever greatful for the staff and drs.that we're truly dedicated to improving the lives of many children and disturbed teenagers like myself.

[@sierrajackson8344]

Wish teens didnt disrespect the building and covering it in disgusting gerffit all over the building so rude good video

[@H2G2Stp]

It's not just teens who trash the place

[@poopyman5512]

i look at graffiti more as an art form. i mean, of course people draw random penises and write bad words but if u don’t include that, you can find some really amazing artwork in there that takes som real talent.

[@H2G2Stp]

@@poopyman5512 some graffiti takes a lot of talent. When i was there my floor had a mural that was kinda nice. It's covered now i imagine

[@sarahknight6627]

Dude did a speed run with labored breathing the whole time. No quick summary of the history of the place, no haunted lore, no thorough exploration. What was the point of this video?

[@robertmunoz7543]

Not a sanitarium?🤔 Breathe in asbestos?😳 Jman

[@thurstonpowell8687]

You've been a naughty boy, now go back to your room

[@jdog1726]

Was very sad driving by these buildings in the 70’s seeing all the children playing in the yard knowing how they was being treated.

[@JoeySavage]

It's was terrible I was a resident the stories are true I live em back in the mid 90s I was there for a year never forget what I had to go though while I was there

[@bidenisatraitor7633]

@@JoeySavage can you share some experiences?

[@drhotchkiss]

I worked there in the 80s, they weren't mistreated .

[@SmellyMellyization]

@@JoeySavage I am so sorry.

[@PoM-MoM]

Wow. Cool! HUUUUGE place. Need a map! I am not a mask mandator for much of anything except in old bldgs like these. Take care 🙂

[@H2G2Stp]

It's full of asbestos so masks are good

[@PoM-MoM]

@@H2G2Stp Oh for asbestos and mold, of course. Have you been there?

[@H2G2Stp]

@@PoM-MoM not inside since it's closed but I was a patient there from 1994 to 1995.

[@m0rior]

@@H2G2Stp how was it if your comfortable sharing ? I've heard some horrible stories.

[@bunnysthndr]

​@@H2G2Stp I'd like to hear anything about your stay you are comfortable with discussing as well.Ive never read not one story that praises it in any even minor detail.

[@georgehays4900]

Way short of breath. Maybe moving too fast. Your walking pace seems pretty rapid.

[@thurstonpowell8687]

The juke box was still playing

[@taylorstone2494]

Did anyone hear a females voice say “it’s okay” at the 9:07-9:08 mark?!?!

[@prinxessdonshow]

I coined these it and how many buildings was it

[@yyzsupra8338]

Shouldve done research to give history. Dudes just strolling for views lol

[@emilybosserman2042]

Its pronounced Stan-ton

[@wvvwguy86]

You got lucky. It’s guarded by police and security.

[@djelliott8041]

Are they really there that much?

[@lilyjohnson3198]

@@djelliott8041 definitely cops around but not hard to get in

[@fbi1961]

i’ve been twice once at night once during the day, had no issue with police

[@lilyjohnson3198]

@@fbi1961 I’ve went twice in a row one night, and a third a week or so later no issues like you said!!!

[@wyattc.4455]

Yeah went many months ago and no issue

[@Ilovemonkeys2]

It’s pronounced Stanton

[@thurstonpowell8687]

Your daughter has sent the police for you

[@robertrobinson3788]

The people that used to work there now work at McDonald's..😆😆😅

[@SoldiersDad]

Trespassing for sure.

[@robertrobinson3788]

If I went there i would trash the place.😆

[@MrMiddleFinger804]

I saw #GWAR Rules on the wall 🤘🏾

[@bluenick4577]

Gives me the last of us vibe

[@DoesYourMommaKnow]

As a teenager I spent about a year there. Not because I was insane I was a teenage runaway

[@lucinda8122]

Did you experience any paranormal activity?

[@reidvanness5429]

Hi.what year were you there

[@Princeton99-dg3hu]

I was there early 2000s at the children's hospital. Horrible memories treating kids terrible no wonder they shut it down.