Stockton State Hospital

Stockton State Hospital

Stockton State Hospital or the Stockton Developmental Center was California's first psychiatric hospital. The Hospital opened in 1851 in Stockton, California and closed 1995-1996.

History

It was constructed as the Insane Asylum of California at Stockton in 1851. It was on 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land donated by Captain Charles Maria Weber. The legislature at the time felt that existing hospitals were incapable of caring for the large numbers of people who suffered from mental and emotional conditions as a result of the California Gold Rush, and authorized the creation of the first public mental health hospital in California. The hospital is #1016 on the Office of Historic Preservation's California Historical Landmark list, and today is home to California State University's Stanislaus - Stockton Center. A cemetery for patients who died there is located on the property.[1][2]

References

  1. Neal L. Starr (July–September 1976). "Stockton State Hospital - A Century and a Quarter of Service" (PDF). San Joaquin Historian.
  2. California Secetary of State (June 2009). "Inventory of the Department of Mental Hygiene - Stockton State Hospital Records". Online Archive of California. Stockton State Hospital first opened its doors in 1851

External links

Coordinates: 37°57′57″N 121°17′05″W / 37.96583°N 121.28472°W