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Danvers State Hospital
Built on land where a Salem witch trial judge lived, Danvers became infamous for lobotomies and overcrowding. It pioneered the ice-pick lobotomy. The building inspired Arkham Asylum. Mostly demolished now, but what remains is extremely haunted.
1878 - Present
Massachusetts, USA
1000+ witnesses
Danvers State Hospital pioneered both treatment and torture.
The Location
Historic land:
- Site of John Hathorne’s farm
- Salem witch trial judge
- Cursed ground?
- Kirkbride design
- Gothic architecture
The History
What happened there:
- Opened 1878
- Treated mentally ill
- Pioneered lobotomy
- Became overcrowded
- Conditions deteriorated
The Lobotomy
Dr. Walter Freeman:
- Developed ice-pick lobotomy
- Performed through eye socket
- Thousands subjected
- Quick and brutal
- Destroyed lives
The Closure
1992:
- Closed permanently
- Abandoned
- Decay and vandalism
- Urban explorers drawn
- Demolition began 2006
The Hauntings
What was reported:
- Screams from tunnels
- Shadow figures
- Apparitions in windows
- Evil presence felt
- Before demolition especially
Today
Current state:
- Mostly demolished
- Some buildings remain
- Converted to condos
- Residents report activity
- History not erased