Abandoned New York Insane Asylum Arguably World’s Creepiest Abandoned Building

A lot of us have a  morbid curiosity about abandoned buildings. And hospitals are the kings of creepy vacant buildings. So what’s the creepiest one of all? Actually, it’s not that hard to choose.

Because we’re sure it’s this creepy abandoned asylum…

The history of state run asylums is a long and sordid one, going back centuries.

In Europe — particularly in Britain — through most of the 17th century, the care of the mentally ill was left up to families and local parishes. Oftentimes, the ill would be locked up in workhouses or attics, or just left to roam the streets.

That model changed in the late 17th century.

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During this time, privately run asylums expanded and flourished. Many grew on account of profitability. After all, there was big money in medicine, whether or not the people who ran the asylums actually practiced it.

This trend wasn’t limited to England.

In the US in the 18th century, public asylums started popping up throughout the country. In Virginia, Eastern State Hospital became the first institution specifically for the mentally ill, opening its doors in 1773.

Attitudes began to change in the 18th century.

During the Enlightenment, mental illness began to be seen as something that could actually be treated (as opposed to something that could be exploited for a quick buck). And people began to want to do something about the insane.