Originally opened in 1851 as the State Lunatic Asylum this rambling building complex
has been closed since 1975. For some time it has been surrounded by an unusually robust
fencing system
Most of us have heard about the FENCE. The 14 foot high climb resistant, million dollar FENCE; the cameras inside and the State Police who monitor them and then come inside the buildings to track down and arrest explorers. Other explorers have gotten in but rarely are any post FENCE exteriors seen of these buildings; for fear that the photographer will be spotted by the ever present State Police Officers assigned to DHS.
All this gave our group reason to be cautious and vigilant. However it didn’t stop us and with the surveillance and intelligence gathered by one of our members, we where able
to successfully get in and explore the remaining structures, take exteriors and get out without being detected.
What follows are pictures reflecting the damage and what remains after last years devastating fire which took out the administrative wing. Fortunately due to Dr. Thomas Kirkbride’s fireproofing design and the brave work of area firemen, that fire did not spread to the remaining parts of the sprawling complex.
The Photos that follow are by Moss Man, Lopez, Arntzville and Captain Jack....The Stooges
1
An amazing view which reminds me of a Mideastern Mosque
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. View from the basement of an inner courtyard
7. The sun bridge and the buildings it connects
8.
9.
Intricate Corinthian detail on the column tops.
10.
Heavily damaged area adjacent to admin
11.
Where the theater used to be
12.
Base of theRotunda
13.
Cafeteria
14
.Portal to ruin
What amazed us over and over was how untouched by fire where areas adjacent to total destruction. One of Kirkbride’s tenants was to make sure his designs had strong fire
barriers to protect the patients.
has been closed since 1975. For some time it has been surrounded by an unusually robust
fencing system
Most of us have heard about the FENCE. The 14 foot high climb resistant, million dollar FENCE; the cameras inside and the State Police who monitor them and then come inside the buildings to track down and arrest explorers. Other explorers have gotten in but rarely are any post FENCE exteriors seen of these buildings; for fear that the photographer will be spotted by the ever present State Police Officers assigned to DHS.
All this gave our group reason to be cautious and vigilant. However it didn’t stop us and with the surveillance and intelligence gathered by one of our members, we where able
to successfully get in and explore the remaining structures, take exteriors and get out without being detected.
What follows are pictures reflecting the damage and what remains after last years devastating fire which took out the administrative wing. Fortunately due to Dr. Thomas Kirkbride’s fireproofing design and the brave work of area firemen, that fire did not spread to the remaining parts of the sprawling complex.
The Photos that follow are by Moss Man, Lopez, Arntzville and Captain Jack....The Stooges
1
An amazing view which reminds me of a Mideastern Mosque
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. View from the basement of an inner courtyard
7. The sun bridge and the buildings it connects
8.
9.
Intricate Corinthian detail on the column tops.
10.
Heavily damaged area adjacent to admin
11.
Where the theater used to be
12.
Base of theRotunda
13.
Cafeteria
14
.Portal to ruin
What amazed us over and over was how untouched by fire where areas adjacent to total destruction. One of Kirkbride’s tenants was to make sure his designs had strong fire
barriers to protect the patients.
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