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The State of Massachusetts demanded a new State Hospital to be erected in 1878 for the over
crowding of the four state hospital. The site chosen for this project was in Danvers, Massachusetts
on top of Hathorne Hill. The hill is named after John Hathorne, who was a judge in the
Salem Witch Trials when Danvers was part of Salem Village. The rural location would be far enough
away from the busy city. It would have clean air and beautiful landscapes for the paitents to enjoy.
Like Worcester and Taunton, Danvers was also laid out in the Kirkbride Plan. Where the worst paitents
would be on the outter wings and work their way to the inner wings. Built in a Gothic style mostly
looking like its sister Worcester, Danvers was built with bricks over looking interstate 95 and became
known as "The Castle on the Hill" because commuters could see the castle like state hospital driving
to and from work. Danver introduced the first frontal lobotomy. With debates over Massachusetts
mental health care, treatments and budget cuts in the system, Danvers State Hospital closed its doors in 1992.
Avalon Bay purchased the land where the former State Hospital lies. They demolish all of the complex
but the Adminstartion building and the two inner wings attached to it.
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The Complex
- Kirkbride Building
- Bonner Medical Building
- Male Dormitory
- Female Dormitory
- Gray Gables
- Laundry Room
- Male/Female TB Houses
- Water Tower
- Our Lady of the Hill Chapel
- St Lukeís Chapel
- Mechanics Garage
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