Last month I purchased a book which had the reports of all public institutions in PA from 1875. I finally had a chance to type up a quick bunch of facts and notes from the Harrisburg State Hospital report. I will add this information to the appropriate sections of the website in the coming weeks, but I though I would also post it here for everyone to read.

Report date: April 29, 1875

-The hospital was full to capacity, 400 inmates. Because of the crowded conditions patients were not able to be properly assigned to wards according to the severity of their conditions.

-Wards were not large, but average in size. Housing 28 patients each. Crowed conditions were in part due to the admission of large numbers of inmates from county alms houses.

-The new north wing at Danville will help alleviate some of the crowding

-The hospital had an improved appearance, mostly due to repairs and paint work.

-Gas is now being produced on the hospital grounds.

-Wards were well lighted and warm.

-When compared to new hospital built following the same plan (Danville and Warren), the hospital seemed to be somewhat defective. Further repairs are still needed on the building.

-Furniture needed to be overhauled and repaired.

-Clothing needed to be supplied more liberally, especially for public patients.

-Patient rooms in the east wing were in need of thorough cleaning and refreshing. The west wing had already been cleaned.

-Patient Stats (hospital total): 228 male, 172 female. 219 private (supported by family), 197 public (supported by the state), year average 398. Average weekly cost per patient $5.21.

-Hospital costs for 1875: Loans & Debts $40,000 / Improvements & Repairs $10,000 / Purchase of additional land $7,288 / Total yearly spending $57,288

-Land total in 1875 was 131 acres. Estimated value including buildings was $432,750

-Attendants employed in 1875 was 45 (1 to every 8.8 patients) / Wages paid to those attendants was $10,152.88

-Employees employed in 1875 was 38 / Wages paid to those employees was $11,728.22

Stats for admitted patients in 1875 (not total hospital stats.)

• 178 total admissions for 1875
• 90 patients / 50.56% were married
• 111 patients / 62.36% were admitted by friends
• 67 patients / 37.64% were admitted by public authorities. (of these 37 were by directors of poor and 30 were by court order)
• 136 patients / 76.40% were born in America
• 42 patients / 23.59% were foreigners
• 106 patients / 59.55% were supported by self or by friends
• 72 patients / 40.45% were supports by public authorities
• The majority of admissions in 1875 were between the ages of 20 and 30
• Patient conditions: 56 acute, 29 chronic, 8 epileptic, 4 puerperal mania, 1 monomania, 60 melancholia, 20 dementia.
• Causes of patient condition (as assigned by the admitting persons): 23 ill health, 3 over exertion, 8 epilepsy, 3 intemperance, 6 puerperal, 1 loss of sleep, 3 disease of the brain, 1 disordered menstruation, 2 head injury, 4 masturbation, 2 sun stroke, 2 exposure, 10 domestic trouble, 1 fright, 1 anxiety, 33 trouble, 1 disappointment.
• 142 patients were discharged in 1875, of these: 36 were restored, 28 were improved, 43 were stationary, 35 died.

-The library contained 1,000 books of general subjects. Patients generally preferred newspapers and periodicals.

-New amusements consisted of the use of magic lanterns, readings, philosophical experiments,

-Hospital improvements: Now lighted by gas which is manufactured on the grounds, this gas is also of better quality than that which was previously provided by the city of Harrisburg. Other general repairs on the building, which according to the then superintendent John Curwen, is a cheap and defective building.

My name is Christina Rhoads and I am the case manager for Greenbrier Paranormal Society located in Rainelle, WV. I am actually from central PA, I grew up between York and Harrisburg in a small town. I never knew the history of Harrisburg State Hospital or that it was considered haunted. I thought the buildings had been torn down to make room for HACC (Harrisburg Area Community College). I’ve heard that part of the old hospital buildings are now museums. Do you know who to contact to set up a possible investigation? Thank you for your time and your website is excellent!:)