Exploring the Abandoned Riverview Mental Health Asylum

In this video, I explore the history of Riverview Mental Hospital, an iconic institution nestled in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Riverview Mental Hospital, also known as Essondale, was established in 1913 and designed to provide progressive and compassionate care for individuals with mental health challenges. Over the years, it evolved into a self-sustained community, housing thousands of patients and employing numerous staff members who dedicated their lives to the well-being of those under their care.
Throughout the 20th century, Riverview witnessed significant advancements in psychiatric medicine, offering innovative treatments and therapies that shaped the understanding and treatment of mental health conditions. But with progress came challenges, and the hospital faced periods of controversy, including concerns about patient care, funding issues, and changing societal attitudes towards mental health.
#riverview #mentalhospital #coquitlam
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0:00 RIVERVIEW MENTAL HOSPITAL
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[@Gina-RaeHorvath]

Better treatment would be good. Closing it has been terrible. Now east Vancouver streets are where these people are. It's a beautiful and useful building, l would love to see it reopen with compassionate mental health care in place.

[@Jarod1941]

He makes no mention of the primary reason the buildings were closed: they were falling apart. More risky than just falling apart, asbestos was EVERYWHERE and was airborne due to the walls and ceilings crumbling. More than that, the entire electrical grid/type of antiquated electrical system was causing fires and burning wires so badly that approx. $1 million was spent each year doing Band-Aid treatments. And there's the plumbing system. The underground main piping and each building's piping was all rotting and causing water damage havoc. Riverview had to close. Even Creese Clinic which is most often used for filming is getting to the point where some film productions insurance companies won't insure them and some film crew members won't work there. Many film crew members have been hurt by things such as a piece of ceiling falling on their head, a foot going through the floor, wooden stairways collapsing, etc. Riverview needed to close and because many are saying "re-open it!", there's been no remediation work done. It can't re-open. It needs to be torn down and rebuilt. Underground plumbing, electrical and new buildings. Everything. My info source: 30+ year film crew that has filmed there 100s of times and info given to me by the Riverview film liaisons iver the years.

[@Jarod1941]

What's not mentioned in this video is the primary reason Riverview was closed. The buildings were falling apart. More risky than just falling apart, asbestos was EVERYWHERE and was airborne due to the walls and ceilings crumbling. More than that, the entire electrical grid/type of antiquated electrical system was causing fires and burning wires so badly that approx. $2 million was spent each year doing Band-aid treatments. And then there's the plumbing system: the underground main piping and each building's piping was all rotting and causing water damage havoc. Riverview had to close. Even Creese Clinic which is most often used for filming only 1/5th is safe enough to be used. As of 2012, only 2 original buildings are used for filming due to safety concerns. It's getting to the point where some film productions insurance companies won't insure the productions and some film crew members won't work there. Many film crew members have been hurt by things such as a piece of ceiling falling on their head, a foot going through the floor, wooden stairways collapsing, etc. It's that bad and deteriorating very quickly. Riverview needed to close. There was no choice even back then and WAY more so now. Many in BC are screaming "re-open it!" without knowing the details of why it isn't/can't be re-opened. The fact is that there's been no remediation work done since it closed and it can't re-open before billions are spent. The best way to "reuse" Riverview would be to tear it down and rebuild it all. Underground plumbing, all electrical and new buildings. Everything. But even that would cost us taxpayers/the government billions of dollars. These are the facts the "reopen it!" aren't knowing and/or aren't considering. My info source: 30+ year film crew that has filmed there many 100s of days and info given to me by the Riverview film liaisons over the years.

[@ExitThrutheGiftShop]

@@Jarod1941 Great insight - Given the age of the buildings and the fact than many have been condemned it goes without saying that much of the property is in disrepair, but I agree it should have been called out more clearly. Glad to hear from someone that has worked extensively on site, sad to hear about the state of conditions.

[@Jarod1941]

​@@ExitThrutheGiftShop ​@ExitThrutheGiftShop When I started in film in '92, we were able to film in 6 of the original buildings. That's now down to 2 and only in a small fraction of those 2. Why 6 down to 2? Simple deterioration/safety hazards, asbestos being the #1 danger. In those small fractions of 2 buildings, the government has done safety refurbs to keep the industry filming there. The millions of $s the film industry pays to film there is too much for the gov't not to do the minimally required refurbs. The refurbs were also a "test project" to see how extensive the deterioration was/refurb money would be needed to reopen even just one building. Just one walk through the underground tunnels is a tell-all. The main underground water and sewage piping that connects to all the buildings is done. Beyond repair. The entirety of Riverview's land that has piping, electrical and of course the buildings, would need a 100% teardown (and rip up in the case of the piping). Personally, I truly hope the government will decide to do it, but I know they won't. #1 - because the land could be sold for umpteen millions to developers as was done with BC Pen. land on Columbia St. and Woodlands Sanitorium (now that was a scary place to film at before they tore it down - YIKES!) IF the Kwikwetlem First Nation would agree to it (doubtful - see point #3) #2 - Kwikwetlem First Nation's have now reclaimed the Riverview lands (rightfully so) and they have a Master Plan in place. It's unknown whether the buildings will stay for as long as structurally possible or if the Nation will build facades and a small studio to replicate what would be torn down (there's been discussions regarding doing this and would be a good source of income for the Nation). All of point 1 and 2 hinge upon the final point, #3 #3 - the Kwikwetlem First Nation has 12 archaeological sites spread out on the property with a multitude of other sites that give strong indication they they're sites worth doing archeological digs. The land Riverview sits on was of great importance and large population before the white man. There's bound to be many more archeological digs in the land's future. For all these reasons, it is my "educated" opinion that Riverview will never be rebuilt or sold to developers like BC Pen. or the haunted Woodlands land (there's a story for you - haunted Woodlands, the atrocious history, the haunted original buildings and even now, the haunted high-rise towers that have been built on the land. The stories I could tell...yikes)

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Would be so awesome to go inside of this place! Creepy, but cool

[@ronnie_5150]

I drive a city bus that goes through the grounds. You can ride a bike on the roads, but they have private security that patrols the grounds to keep people away from the buildings. I'm surprised this guy was able to get close to the buildings and record video. As there are signs clearly stating it is not allowed.

[@briansummers6074]

I worked there, the tunnels underground were amazing. Delivered food to different buildings in these tunnels. The insane had a place to live, now their on the street.

[@lilmissnumnums101]

I can only imagine what the streets of Vancouver & surrounding cities would be like today had they not closed the doors.

[@LxryTrickzz]

Sad that such atrocities were commited in such a beautiful building

[@TravelingTramps]

Enjoyed your tour and hearing the history of Riverview, Graham. It's story is much the same as all over. Treatments we're often misguided in the past. That's putting it mildly, but was the best medicine could come up with back then, I spent my entire work career working with the cognitively impaired in a facility somewhat like this. I'm now retired, but ours is still open although much smaller than it once was. Many shuttered building on the grounds. Many advances have been made and most residents and new ones moved into a group home setting. But still, for the most severely impaired and aggressive, smaller versions of these will have to live on. Loved your video!

[@cyph3r.427]

Electroshock treatment is still administered in BC, it's called ECT and even done on involuntary patients.

[@OutWestwithJeff]

Another great video, Graham! I was actually inside Pennington Hall on a 'work field trip' back in 2003. I believe there were still between 400 - 500 patients still at Riverview at the time. Despite the natural beauty of the sprawling property, there was certainly a sad/eerie feel in the air. The buildings were very assuming as you said. Quite a place with quite a history here in BC ...

[@ExitThrutheGiftShop]

Thanks Jeff! You can still feel the atmosphere even today. Especially now that it sits mostly still. A bit of an eerie place to wander but such a beautiful property!

[@robatsea2009]

My cousin did her entire nursing career there, and the father of a school mate worked there until retirement. Both said it was a great place to work. When my sister got married the flower arrangements / decorations for the reception were done there. The grounds are certainly amazing - there are tree varieties from around the world, and as you undoubtedly saw it really looks incredible at different times of the year. Obviously needs some TLC, though - after the hospital's closure in the 1990s that failed concept of having the needs of patients addressed in their individual communities resulted in so many filling the DTES, and lead to the deterioration of conditions there. Earlier this year when I visited a pair of coyotes were having a field day running around the grounds; at one point I was passing near where the cabins are and stopped the car for them to pass - one of them actually did a loop around the car before rejoining its mate. Where the old pharmaceutical warehouse is now houses the SPARC (Society for Preservation of Antique Radio in Canada) Museum, which is open on Sundays. I visited it years ago, and they had a really fascinating display of everything from household radios to a vintage Bamfield communications center to equipment that belonged to the late Jack Cullen.

[@ExitThrutheGiftShop]

Fascinating! I'm glad to hear the working conditions were good. I think some of the issues seem from practices that were accepted at the time but are no longer used. And of course overcrowding is always a problem. But I personally believe that having active care and support is better than turning people out on the street.

[@robatsea2009]

@@ExitThrutheGiftShop Absolutely! I know that one of the rallying cries at the time of the closure was that such facilities were dark reminders of the past - but as with most everything that evolves practices that were in place 100 years ago, 50 years ago, even more recent - are no longer used or relevant. An actual supportive environment with attentive care is far more humane than the misery so many of these people have been consigned to - they become fodder for the dealers and predators out to exploit their conditions.

[@seananand9934]

The place is haunted this is a true story of Grave Encounters

[@wanderesschannel]

Another great video! I really appreciate all the information/research you put into this, thanks for sharing!

[@JenniferandMark2014]

Impressive buildings with so much history. Jenn

[@OffRampAdventures]

Wow! Amazing how it looks so much like our Kentucky Waverly Asylum!

[@ExitThrutheGiftShop]

It's quite an imposing building!

[@lahirusankalpa]

Thanks for sharing have a nice day

[@liztowers2058]

i wish idiots would stop breaking windows and spray painting there....ARMor security isnt doing their job. i have EVPs from there and straneg face photos in certain windows. i love riverview lands, its haunted and the energy is intense. people need to RESPECT this place. i am there very often there with my dogs and keep an eye on things, lately i have found 4 dead squirrels there which is odd, had to call the wild life people to check for poisoning or such things.

[@TheJourneyAwaits]

I did not expect to see on site housing for staff. Well that’s pretty cool about the movies that have been filmed there. 👍

[@Jarod1941]

The list of movies and TV shows that have filmed there is LONG. REALLY long.

[@shlock1459]

4:48 is a built set for filming.

[@TravelHungryForLife]

Very nice enjoyed this Asylum history here well done

[@alanwilliamson6421]

Great view for the facility

[@destinationdero]

This is a very cool thing to do for the Halloween season

[@noahpasquier2901]

going at night act is so scary

[@DA-js7xz]

Such a sad and traumatic place for many. Glad that the government is planning to do something much healthier with these lands.

[@ryguy5929]

Until those mental health patients show at your neighborhood

[@terrific-bats]

awesome video ! good work

[@WanderingwithWatto]

A great informative video. A bit sad when you think about the numbers involved. But a very interesting watch nonetheless. 🚶🏻‍♂️

[@phoenixman8569]

Some may not agree with me but this place needs to reopened, Because of the toxic drug crisis in B.C that is in its 8th year, In Vancouver especially around Hastings street has a large population of these fentanyl and xylazine addicts that blatantly refuse all forms of out patient care and will continue to use until they die, and now in 2024 more practitioners and other health professionals are becoming more convinced that reopening this venue may be the only only option left that might succeed where all others have failed.....

[@mindbodyandsoul81]

Someone should buy and do paranormal tours

[@SonoAyu]

But in esp it was older and has been renovated?

[@darrenmkj]

grave encounters！

[@cameroncheung3659]

@Exit Thru the Gift Shop do you have a Spirit Halloween Lil Skelly Bones animatronic

[@Adevine369]

Y don’t they fix it up and transfer the house less