Central State Hospital, Now & Then - Petersburg, Va.

A brief history through photos and narration, including childhood remembrances of living in close proximity to the hospital.
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Credit to: Wikipedia & Richmond.com

[@highpockets2376]

I was born in 1956 and grew up about 50 miles south. My parents visited a family friend there often in the mid to late 60s, I never got out of the car but I still remember that big spooky place with bars on the windows and guards posted at the entrances. I will never forget the hauntingly eerie noises coming out of those windows, from moaning to sobbing to rambling gibberish to screaming and hollering at the top of their lungs..Some very troubled souls were there for "treatment" was all my parents ever said about the place.

[@heliflyer7]

Terrible times. Thank you for sharing your experience so that others may be aware.

[@cherylstout8669]

I lived on Spring St. Growing up and central state was just a walk across the street and thru some woods. As a child I remember the asylum alarm and all of us children went running home because someone escaped from the asylum. Fond childhood memories in the neighborhood as well as horror when we heard that alarm. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@heliflyer7]

You’re welcome. I have many of the same memories, thanks for sharing yours!

[@KKP-]

In my hometown there was a large “insane asylum” that haunted my mind for 50 years. The buildings were massive and the architecture was magnificent. I have wondered since I was a small child …. Who really built these asylums and why so enormous. Where did all these supposed insane people come from. What was really going on behind those doors. Why did they knock them all down across the USA, what were they hiding … 🤔 Great video !

[@heliflyer7]

Thank you! Probably best as a child we didn’t know. As adults, we know better...

[@richardottum1]

It's an awesomely haunted place my friends and I would go check out the ghost 👻 presence instead if clubbing in Richmond with the walking dead in the dancing night clubs. My friends and I were very unusual; now that I look back. Going out to see doors too big for any of us to open or close; swing open or shut after we'd move away from the door as if the ghost wanted to keep us out

[@heliflyer7]

Interesting, thanks for sharing your experience!

[@inthenow8077]

The father of my children now reside here. Hopefully not forever

[@heliflyer7]

Sorry to hear that. Praying for his return to you and your family.

[@Autobiography_]

I was admitted here from the Chesapeake city jail on a competency inquiry for my trial from November 2013 to march 2014 and I can honestly say it was way better than jail the nurses were cute and friendly you could fight and not get in trouble for it cause you we’re already labeled as “insane “ the food was decent I actually gained weight will being there😂

[@heliflyer7]

Glad to hear you had a positive experience there! Hope life has treated you well since.

[@Shapeshifterxx]

Did it seem haunted

[@heliflyer7]

@Shapeshifterxx Not really haunted, more a grim reminder of the past treatment of people.

[@SwipeLife007]

30irty ball

[@KennethFKlein]

My friend took me through there to a backroad to Waffle house I always told her the damn place was haunted as hell

[@heliflyer7]

I wouldn’t be surprised at all.

[@KennethFKlein]

@@heliflyer7 I can’t believe some of those buildings are falling apart and they still utilize them

[@heliflyer7]

Some have been abandoned. However, some of the decrepit ones are probably still being utilized. I hope to do an update soon of the new facility whose construction was just underway when I shot this video earlier this year. Stay tuned.@@KennethFKlein

[@KennethFKlein]

@@heliflyer7 can you see if they will let you do a tour of the buildings not in use?

[@heliflyer7]

@KennethFKlein It’s pretty rare that I go up that way, but when I do, I’ll check into it. Thanks for commenting!