SA Series 993 AV

              State Archives Series 993 AV
Columbus State Hospital
Columbus State Hospital Photograph Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
State Archives Record Series
SA Series 993 AV
COLUMBUS STATE HOSPITAL
Columbus State Hospital photograph collection
OVERVIEW OF THE SERIES
Series Number: SA Series 993 AV
Creating Agency: Columbus State Hospital
Series Title: Columbus State Hospital photograph collection
Dates of Series: 1911-1915, 1945, 1957
Media: Black and White photographs, Safety film negatives
Quantity: 0.50 Cubic Feet
Location: Ohio Historical Society
AGENCY BACKGROUND
In the early 19th century concern within the medical profession and the state legislature
was growing in regards to the care and treatment of the mentally ill. In January of 1835
a meeting was held in Columbus of physicians to discuss medical problems of common
interest. Two topics of discussion at the meeting were the need for the establishment of
a school for the blind and an asylum for the insane. Members of this meeting appealed
to the General Assembly to establish these institutions.
In March of 1837, the legislature granted an appropriation to erect asylum buildings
based on the 1835 recommendations. The Ohio Lunatic Asylum was located on East
Broad Street in Columbus, about one mile from Capital Square. Construction began in
April of 1837 with the help of Ohio Penitentiary convict labor. Building was completed in
November of 1838. Dr. William M. Awl, one of the authors of the 1835 appeal, was
appointed superintendent and Samuel Parsons, Samuel Spangler, and Adin G. Hibbs
were appointed directors. Additional construction was done in 1843, 1844, and 1847.
On Wednesday, November 8, 1868, fire broke out at the asylum. The eastern and
western wings of the main building were almost entirely destroyed. The state legislature
authorized a new building on the old site. However, in April of 1870, the legislature
decided to sell the old property and purchase a new site.
The old asylum grounds were developed into a residential area, East Park Place. A new
300-acre site was purchased from William Sullivant for $100,000 on West Broad Street