Old Insane Asylum Cemetery - Columbus Ohio

In Columbus' Hilltop neighborhood, if you know where to look, there are two small cemeteries with plaques that say they are the final resting place for patients from an old insane asylum.
The state approved plans in 1835 and the asylum was built on East Broad Street, about a mile from the Ohio Statehouse. Tragically, that building was destroyed in 1868 by fire that killed six patients.
Instead of rebuilding there, a new hospital would be set on 300 wooded acres along West Broad Street. When the hospital opened for business in 1877, it was renamed the Columbus Hospital for the Insane. It's said to have been the largest building in the United States, until that title was taken by the Pentagon in 1943.
The facility went through several different names through the years including:
The Ohio Lunatic Asylum
Columbus Hospital for the Insane
Columbus State Hospital
Central Ohio Psychiatric Hospital
One headstone that sparks interest among visitors is marked "SPECIMENS"
There's a lot of speculation online about what might be buried there, but there's no final verdict as records all seem to have been lost. Possibly parts of cadavers used for medical research is a likely answer? But for the time being, that part of the story will have to remain a mystery.
It is hard to overestimate the the terrible conditions that people who faced difficulties back then were made to endure. Caregivers likely were trying to do what they thought was best, it was best, but the science at the time was inadequate.
The science is better now but yet a lot of the same people that ended up in these insane and penal asylum cemeteries are struggling today.. People who are unable to hold down jobs, veterans who have trouble re adjusting to society, people with mental and physical issues, all of these face a lot of trouble today. Idon't know a lot about this sort of thing, but I'm glad that There are resources for people today, free resources in many cases. I have listed several below if you or anyone you know is struggling please seek out help possibly from one of the folks I listed below. Thanks.
namiohio.org/
www.dav.org/veterans/resources/
iava.org/
mha.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/mha/

[@punkyabb]

My Brother was in the one on Broad Street in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. I was very young at the time. My Mother was forced to put him there. She could not take care of him by herself. While watching these video’s it hit me hard. I wish I knew what he really went through while he was in this place. I have cried a lot and worried. I wish my Mom was here to answer the many questions I have. When my Brother passed away we were able to bring him back home to lay him to rest. Thank you for making this video. You are a wonderful caring person. Ann Adams Fugate

[@hardtogetnamehere]

Are you related to the blue Fugate’s?

[@charmainegrandin401]

As someone who has a mentally handicapped brother, this broke my heart. How very sad they were treated so awfully. Many passing away at such young ages, and not even known by their names. Thank you for shining a light on this dark sad part of our history. It shouldn’t be forgotten, lest it happen again.

[@midnitemike]

The Ohio Psychiatric Hospitals as well as other states grew exponentially after the Civil War. There was major PTSD from returning veterans.

[@ninamaecl238]

Went to visit one in Columbus in the 70s. Saw nightmare things in there. Thank God they sent some patients back to their counties of orgin.

[@deborahminter6231]

Good video! I am glad someone took the time to film these graveyards and to touch on this sad part of history.

[@PrinceofTurov1]

Thank you ☺️ I really appreciate hearing that!

[@deborahminter6231]

@@PrinceofTurov1 👍

[@davidfrazier8433]

Thanks for sharing

[@nancykennon310]

My friend Tracy and I used to go out and walk old cemeteries. Very interesting.

[@samanthathompson8241]

So sad...I grew up on the westside of Columbus and never knew of this place yet lived so close. Gonna have to find it!

[@Smitty54]

Unbelievable the cruelty these people suffered 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 watching from Ohio Smitty out 👋

[@electricbunnyandtheworldof5106]

So interesting!

[@ninamaecl238]

Most died from pneumonia.

[@melaniehickman5389]

West broad street it's now 1970 and 1980 west broad. I delivered the mail there.

[@Rednecksusan81]

This makes me so mad n sad to know that people with mental health issues was treated like 💩 I have mental issues I have PTSD, OCD, ADHD, clinical depression, night terrors, anxiety 18 year old has autism he is my ❤ my reason for living 🙏😇❤️ RIP to all them people may there souls be at peace 🕊️

[@hardtogetnamehere]

Being mad doesn’t change anything. They had very little understanding of how to treat or help people with seriously mental health issues and mental/physical handicaps. Even today we fail mentally ill people all the time. This is why laws were put into place to not confine people against their will for treatment they didn’t agree to. California is trying to change that. They are trying to pass a law that says the state can force a mentally I’ll person to get treatment they don’t want, can’t deal with the side eggs of the meds, or they will be locked up in prison.

[@terriebrown9163]

I found- (?) Glick, may 29,1857 on find a grave On family search he's in a family tree

[@PrinceofTurov1]

Oh wow! I wonder if anyone still living is related to him??

[@rebeccamann3893]

I saw it in a video from Ohio fire marshal we had safety training every year from state of Ohio fire 🚒 marshall

[@rebeccamann3893]

Be safe

[@rebeccamann3893]

It happen in the video in a different state Pass pull away aim squeeze and then sweet

[@rebeccamann3893]

It's illegal to chain people in institutions to beds

[@doncanter7883]

You've obviously never put anybody in four point restraints. I worked here !

[@rebeccamann3893]

Did the y do it to you I have already been seen by a licensed professional counselor

[@stevenworth2888]

Where is the first cemetery in this video located exactly? I have never seen this area.

[@PrinceofTurov1]

Hard to explain exactly, but the best way to find it is to go to Harper Rd, between the entrance to a stoneworks and the i-70 overpass you'll see an unpaved access road. The gate seems to usually be closed, but the shoulder is wide enough to park there. Just walk the path about .4 miles and you'll find it.

[@PrinceofTurov1]

Let me know if that is enough info and also if you go!!

[@stevenworth2888]

I know exactly where that is. Probably passed it 20 times riding between Westgate & UA. Thanks.

[@demolitiondemo5574]

@@stevenworth2888 did you find it?

[@xbl_t3knique]

the cemetary on Harper Rd is on a dirt rd on the right just before the 70 overpass. Its behind Mark Gray Enterprises Scrap Yard

[@ninamaecl238]

Orient institution.

[@rebeccamann3893]

I barely made it out a live

[@rebeccamann3893]

I seen shit happen at the hospital they were dragged off were sent out back door they clean with bleach water cleaning 🧼 went out back door

[@rebeccamann3893]

I know things about the Ohio psychiatric hospital in Colombus Ohio they didn't listen to me

[@marvinjohnson8427]

Where are the slaves buried in Columbus ohio ?

[@PrinceofTurov1]

Interesting question,Thanks! Ohio prohibited slavery, but only in the sense that no one could buy or sell slaves within the state. Not until 1841 did Ohio enact a law so that any slave brought into the state automatically became free. Before then, Southern slave owners regularly visited Ohio and especially Cincinnati accompanied by slaves, sometimes for extended periods of time. So I have no doubt that enslaved persons does and were buried here in Ohio, but I imagine they would have been at into pauper faces, or else placed somewhere on the property upon which they worked? I'd really like to learn more about that for sure.

[@PrinceofTurov1]

slavenorth.com/ohio.htm this is a great site with info on slavery across the north, by state

[@rebeccamann3893]

Columbus police department needs search