The Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) is a psychiatric facility operated by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. It is located in unincorporated Rankin County, Mississippi,[1][2] along Mississippi Highway 468.[3] The 350-acre (140 ha) campus is 15 miles (24 km) south of Jackson,[4] and between Jackson and Brandon.[5] Historically many people referred to the center as "Whitfield," after the community that it is located in.[6]
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In 1920, the state hospital had 1,670 residents. In 1930, it had 2,649 residents.[7] In 1935, the Mississippi State Insane Asylum moved from a complex of 19th century buildings in northern Jackson to its current location,[6] the former property of a state penal colony,[5] the Rankin Farm.[7] MSH became overcrowded, and it held insane people and people with alcoholism, depression, menopause, and other ailments that were resolved with modern medicine in later generations.[6]
In the 1930s, the facility consisted of 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) acres of farmland, including 1,500 acres (610 ha) cultivated acres. MSH was a self-sufficient facility, with its own bakery, dairy, laundry, post office, tuberculosis hospital, and water wells.[6] Hunter Cole, author of The Legs Murder Scandal, said that in the 1930s, MSH appeared "more like an estate than a prison" due to the fields, meadows, and woodlands in the area. During the time MSH had many Mount Vernon style buildings.[5] A lake was installed in front of the main buildings.[6] Before desegregation, MSH was racially segregated. White Americans resided in the right side of the campus, and African Americans resided in the left side of the campus, and each racial group had its own group of facilities, including chapels, dining halls, and recreational facilities. In 1935, 3,000 residents and 475 employees lived in the facility.[6]
Children from age four to 17 years and 11 months who require acute, short term treatment are treated at the Oak Circle Center (OCC). MSH also has the Chemical Dependency Unit (CDU) to treat people who have alcohol and/or drug addictions.[8]
The Lakeside School at MSH provides educational services.[8] The state hospital includes the Jaquith Nursing Home.[3][9] The United States Postal Service Whitfield Post Office is located on the property of MSH.[10][11] Staff housing is provided by MSH.[11]
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