Opened in 1904 to house the mentally ill, the Norwich State Hospital closed its doors in 1996. It may have begun as a single building hosting 95 patients, but by 1930, the property had expanded to include over 20 buildings with more than 2,000 patients. But this collection of buildings, which once housed violent patients and those found guilty of crimes by insanity, is now a completely abandoned hospital in CT. And it sure has a story....
Located in Preston, the Norwich State Hospital sits near the scenic Thames River. Underground tunnels connected all of the buildings together, but they are now full of cancer-causing asbestos.
Some of the structures at this abandoned hospital in CT have been abandoned since the 1950s, when the property expanded from 100 to 900 acres and began building larger facilities. But the population began to dwindle in the 1970s.
Hidden within the buildings are a collection of typewriters collecting dust, two bowling alleys, and three theaters. Sadly, these facilities were not enough to keep the buildings in use, even for recreational purposes, and the buildings were left to rot.
Have you heard the story of the Norwich State Asylum? It's one of the most haunted Connecticut places.
Many people believe that the grounds are haunted, mostly due to the unfortunate Norwich State Hospital deaths that plagued the facility. First a suicide, then a water heater explosion, a car accident, and a number of patients dying during treatment. Could this be the place of tortured souls?
The state has been in the process of tearing down buildings for years and it is currently owned by the Mohegan Tribe. So this piece of history may be disappearing forever. But given some of the stories surrounding this abandoned hospital in CT, this might be a good thing. Let's just hope the ghosts don't haunt whatever they build next!
This creepy aerial video shows you just how haunting the current grounds really are!
If you are wondering if you can visit Norwich State Hospital, the answer is no. It is privately owned and trespassing is prohibited.
Norwich State Hospital isn't the only facility that was left in ruins. The Seaside Sanatorium is another haunting example of forgotten facilities.
While we can't explore Norwich State Hospital, we can definitely explore other fascinating spots when we set off on the best hiking trails in Connecticut. Find them on AllTrails Plus.
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