Danvers State Hospital: Where the Dead Once Roamed

     (Etching of hospital, c. 1887)   

It was once considered to be one of the most haunted hospitals on the east coast. Unfortunately, much of the hospital’s original structure was demolished to make way for a residential complex. Considering its history, I can’t imagine anyone wanting to reside there.

Construction of the looming building began in 1874. The doors of the massive structure opened in 1878. Construction costs reached nearly a million-and a half dollars, and it was touted “The Castle” by surrounding civilians. Its initial construction was meant well in its idea of providing the ill with pioneering quality care.
In the beginning, patients were allowed to walk freely within the halls, without use of restraints. Some even gardened on the grounds. However, by the turn of the 1900’s, almost any kind of derelict, the criminally insane, drug addicts, and so forth were provided for. By the 1950’s, many patients became fodder for cruel experiments.

Experiments ranged from lobotomies, hydrotherapy, and electroshock therapy. It was once rumored that the practice of lobotomizing patients began at Danvers. Despite the technique, patients were often left as vegetables, rather than being any saner. Lobotomies were not done as a means of making the patient “better.” Sometimes it was the curiosity to see what the end result would be.

Hydrotherapy would require patients to be restrained and wrapped in sheets up to their necks. They would then be submersed in tubs of either scalding hot water or cold water. Many suffered from hypothermia as a result.

Electroshock therapy was considered the worst. Often times, patients would be dragged from their rooms screaming, while awaiting their painful treatments. Although they would be tied to gurneys with tongue depressors in their mouths to prevent them from biting off their tongues, it wasn’t uncommon for patients to break bones while thrashing against the electricity that surged through their bodies.

Drugs were often experimental. During the 1950’s and 1960’s not much was known in the science of medicating the ill. Drugs would be offered, and many times the desired effect would be the opposite, with patients either becoming more unstable or frenzied.

People have died within these walls. At one point Danvers had served as a tuberculosis site, and many patients died as a result of poor treatment. Considering its rich and colored history, it is not surprising that something could once upon a time have lingered there.

When the asylum officially closed in the early 1990’s , the massive structure became a ghostly curiosity for thrill-seekers. The darkness that seeps within the walls of these pained institutions allow for the spirits to still reside. Perhaps they do not wish to let go of the only place they know. Many who have visited Danvers prior to its demolition have sworn to feel and see things of another world. Immense sadness can be felt as if their inner being is being permeated with the pain that was once felt by patients.

Whether it’s the eeriness of walking amongst ghostly ruins, or the mind playing tricks on your perception, the general belief was that Danvers was definitely haunted. Many have heard cries for help, laughter, whispering, and screaming. There have been shadowy figures, and full apparitions spotted. A little girl has been seen running through the halls, though no known record of a girl dying on the premises has been reported. Mists would be seen floating about, or blasts of air felt upon one’s skin. Orbs, which seem to be common phenomena associated with hauntings, were also prevalent. Sometimes hands would be seen reaching across a wall, only to vanish moments later.

Now that Danvers has been demolished and turned into Avalon Danvers the residential complex, one can only guess as to what has become of the wayward spirits. Perhaps they still make themselves known to the unwanted guests of the community.