Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry
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The Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry (est.1907, closed 1990), also known as Byberry Mental Hospital, opened in 1907 in Northeast Philadelphia. It originally followed the theory of physician Benjamin Rush that mental illness was a disease and could be cured with proper treatment, but the mentally diseased should be kept away from normal people until they were actually cured. It was home to people ranging from the mentally challenged to the criminally insane. The primary buildings were constructed between 1910 and the mid-1920's, and the newer buildings were constructed between 1940 and 1953. It was composed of over fifty buildings which included male and female dormitories, an infirmary, kitchens, laundry, administration, a chapel and a morgue. The hospital's population grew rapidly, quickly exceeding it's capacity, and conditions were extremely poor.
Several investigations into the conditions at the hospital revealed that sewage lined the hallways and patients slept in the halls, and administration mistreated and exploited patients. As a result, in 1936, the hospital was turned over to the state. However, the state possession changed nothing, and further investigations publicized similar findings.
In his 1948 book, The Shame of the States, Albert Deutsch described the horrid conditions he observed at Byberry: "As I passed through some of Byberry's wards, I was reminded of the pictures of the Nazi concentration camps. I entered a building swarming with naked humans herded like cattle and treated with less concern, pervaded by a fetid odor so heavy, so nauseating, that the stench seemed to have almost a physical existence of its own." In the 1960's the hospital began downsizing. The downsizing continued until its closing.
Horrible Conditions Continue
In the mid 1980s, Philadelphia State Hospital came under scrutiny when it was learned that violent criminals were being kept on the hospitals' Forensic Ward (N8-2A). In 1985, the hospital failed a state inspection, and was accused of misleading the inspection team about certain issues with overcrowding being the top problem.Reports of patient abuse were still rampant through the 1980s. One patient had reported that one of his teeth was pulled without Novacaine. Another famous story of patient abuse was that of William Kirsch in 1987, who was shackled to a bed for 14 months. Another state inspection team was sent to evaluate the hospital in early 1987. By the summer of '87, 5 of Philadelphia State Hospitals' top officials were promptly fired after the hospital once again failed the state inspection.
Closure of Byberry
On December 7th, 1987, a press conference was held to announce the closing of the Philadelphia State Hospital. The teams most recently performing investigations described the conditions as "atrocious" and "irreversible." Though originally supposed to close the following year, patient issues delayed the process. Mostly the fact that two released patients were found dead in the Delaware river in two successive days after their release. The hospital officialy closed in June of 1990, with the remaining patients and staff having been transferred to Norristown State Hospital or local community centers.Demolition Halted
In 1991 the buildings were scheduled to be demolished, and indeed some demolition began. They only got as far as the decorative concrete roof edges, which can still be found scattered on the rooftops of the buildings to this day. Soon after demoltion began, it was quickly discovered that large amounts of asbestos was used in the construction of the hospital. The City of Philadelphia, which was in a severe financial crisis at the time, decided to halt demolition and hire a security firm to oversee the property.Philadelphia State Hospital Today
Currently, most of the structures (about a dozen or so) remain abandoned off of Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) and Southampton Road in Northeast Philadelphia. It is frequented by adventurous teenagers, Urban Explorers and the occasional homeless person, although it is often patrolled for trespassers by the on site security and Philadelphia Police. The buildings are also very dangerous, a few of the hazards include airborne asbestos, peeling lead paint, and unsturdy stairways. In the winter of 2005, a man inspecting the buildings for demolition fell three stories to his death when he fell through a stairwell that gave out beneath him.Demolition
The first steps are being taken to finish demolishing the remains of Philadelphia State Hospital. Asbestos abatement is currently ongoing in several buildings. As soon as abatement is complete in the respective building, demololition of the abated building will commence. Demolition is expected to take anywhere from 8-11 months to complete, however that is an estimated timetable and is subject to change. Demolition will begin with the "C" buildings as they need the least abatment, followed by the "N" buildings, then finish with the "W" buildings. No explosives are expected to be used in the demolition of any of the buildings. Demolition is being performed by Geppert Brothers, Inc.External links
See also
Urban Explorers
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