Lakin State Hospital
| Lakin State Hospital | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | 1919 |
| Construction Ended | 1926 |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Closed | late 1970s |
| Demolished | Partially |
| Current Status | Closed |
| Building Style | Rambling Plan |
| Location | Lakin, WV |
| Peak Patient Population | 502 (1960 pop.) |
| Alternate Names |
|
Contents
History
The Lakin State Hospital was created under the same legislation proposed by T.G. Nutter, Harry Capehart and T.J. Coleman, three African American legislators that created several state-funded reform institutions for African Americans between 1919 and 1921, that also created the Lakin Industrial Home for Colored Boys across WV 62 from the hospital. Like the industrial school that also bore the name of the town of Lakin, the state hospital was for African Americans only during segregation.
In 1950, Lakin was visited along with the Huntington State Hospital and Spencer State Hospital by Dr. William Freeman, sometimes called the "Father of the American Lobotomy". During July and early August Dr. Freeman performed 228 lobotomies on patients at those facilities, including twenty 'very dangerous Negroes' at Lakin.[1]
In 1954, Lakin State Hospital began the process of integrating it's staff and patient population. It also assumed the duty of district hospital for Jackson, Mason, Putnam, and Wood counties in West Virginia. In 1960 the facilities consisted of two three story main buildings (separated by gender), a two story office building, cannery, a new office/dietary complex constructed in 1959, two staff dormitories, physician housing, and a short term treatment medical center. Along with those buildings, there were six older buildings that had been renovated structures serving as laundry, workshops, and recreation hall. By 1960 psychosurgical procedures were no longer practiced, replaced by group and recreational therapy and psychotherapy.[2] However, the hospital did still offer electro-convulsive therapy and insulin coma therapy.[3]
It's use as a mental hospital persisted into the late 1970s, until the State of West Virginia de-institutionalized mental healthcare. [4] Today the former Lakin State Hospital property is still owned by the Department of Health the Lakin Nursing Home, while many of the older buildings constructed by the state have now been demolished, including all traces of the former Industrial Home.
Confusion with the Industrial Home for Colored Boys
In modern times, the state hospital is frequently confused with the Lakin Industrial Home for Colored Boys. Proximity and similar names mean casual observers often mistook the abandoned Industrial Home building for being the state hospital. Matters are not helped since after the School's closing in 1955 the State Hospital took over the grounds in 1957, using the structures as employee housing, post office, and gymnasium.[5]
Known Staff
Dr. M. Mitchell Bateman, MD: Superintendent, ???-1960
Dr. Kathryn A. Rainbow, MD: Superintendent, 1961-???
Mr. G.E. Chamberlain, jr: Business Manager, ???-1960
Mr. Lenzy G. Austin: Business Manager, 1961-???
Images
See Also
Lakin Industrial Home for Colored Boys
References
- ↑ Brief history of Lakin
- ↑ Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 44th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1960. Print.
- ↑ Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 45th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1961. Print.
- ↑ WV Encyclopedia Entry
- ↑ Meyers, J. Howard, ed. "West Virginia Bluebook" 45th ed. Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company, 1961. Print.
