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-1920s, 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 its 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 1960s the hospital began downsizing. The downsizing continued until its closing.
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[edit] 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 hospital's 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.[citation needed] 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 Hospital's top officials were promptly fired after the hospital once again failed the state inspection.
[edit] Closure of Byberry
On December 7, 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 officially closed in June of 1990, with the remaining patients and staff having been transferred to Norristown State Hospital or local community centers.
[edit] Period of Abandonment 1990-2006
It did not take long for people to re-discover Byberry after it closed. Looters broke in several weeks after the closing and began to steal everything of value, especially copper piping and wiring, while contaminating the buildings with asbestos, which prevented the city from demolishing the buildings in 1991. After the looters had removed everything of value, vandals and urban explorers trespassed on the grounds. Explorers wandered the hallways and rooms of their newly abandoned prize; vandals smashed windows and started fires. It was rare to see a summer night go by without the fire department having to be called to the former hospital.
By 2000 Byberry saw an explosion of people visiting the abandoned hospital, the internet offered extremely exaggerated stories and legends, as well tips on gaining access to the abandoned buildings while avoiding police and security. By 2003, the Philadelphia State Hospital site was a complete and utter ruin; graffiti covered every buildings exterior and interior, every window was smashed and boarded with plywood, and anything flammable remaining when the hospital closed was now ashes. The residents of Somerton were now pressuring the city to end the "Byberry Problem" once and for all. In May of 2006 the "Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation" the owners of the former Hospital, sold all the remaining buildings and land to "Brandywine Reality" who promised to swiftly demolish the former hospital and develop the land.
[edit] Demolition
On June 14, 2006, a ceremony was held to celebrate the beginning of the complete demolition of the former Byberry hospital, and the future construction of a large adult living community, and an office park consisting of 8-10 story office buildings, on the former hosiptal grounds. "Geppert Brothers" demolition was hired to demolish the buildings, while "Delta Removal" was hired to remove hazardous materials; such as lead paint, and asbestos. Abatement and demolition started with "C" buildings, followed by the "W" buildings, and ended with the "N" buildings. No explosives were used in the demolition of any of the buildings. The only existing buildings are used for private drug/alcohol rehabilitation.
