If you drove by the Montana State Hospital today, you probably wouldn’t give it a second look. A plain, modern building sits next to a sign directing guests to the visitors' entrance or to Admissions, and nothing about it really stands out at first glance. But as Montana’s first and longest-running publicly operated psychiatric hospital, it’s got a long, complex history. Few people know the sordid tale behind this Montana State Hospital horror story... but now you will.
Montana State Hospital was founded by the territorial government in 1877, 12 years before Montana became a state. It’s more commonly known as Warm Springs, and you’ll find it in an unincorporated community in Deer Lodge County.
In 1924, the hospital made headlines when it was discovered that 11 inmates had been forcibly sterilized. Hospital staff reported that all sterilizations had been approved and that eugenics was necessary for Montana’s future. A total of 256 people were sterilized by Montana’s eugenics program from 1923 until 1954.
By the 1950s, Warm Springs, MT was the state's biggest incorporated community. There were around 2,000 patients, barns for chickens and cattle, and a greenhouse.
The hospital consists of a historic hospital building and more modern facilities.
These days, the average population is around 200. The patients are largely placed there by civil court commitment action, meaning involuntary. Earlier this year, a new facility opened in Galen to help with overcrowding.
There are two cemeteries onsite marking the graves of the patients who never left.
It's said that many of their restless spirits still roam the grounds of the property, as well as the specter of a Montana State Hospital ghost nurse.
What do you think? Have you seen the Warm Springs, MT asylum? What do you think about this eerie Montana State Hospital horror story? Tell us your thoughts in the comments; we love hearing from you.
For more of the most haunted places in Montana, check out this epic haunted places in Montana road trip... if you dare! Of course, haunt at your own risk... you never know what you'll encounter.
While this hospital has a dark past that left a stain on Montana's history, we all know that our state has more than enough redeeming qualities. Case in point: Yellowstone National Park. We may share the park with two other states, but it's still one of the most incredible things Big Sky Country has to offer. Learn more about the park (and other national parks!) in our YouTube video:
If you love national parks as much as we do, Parks Project has awesome gear that allows you to support your favorite spots. Plus, money from each purchase is donated to the parklands!
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