46:
944:
280:. The new buildings opened on the main campus included the men and women's receiving buildings, an assembly hall, and a laundry. The expansion of the farm section of the campus included a cow barn, a horse barn, a hay barn, a milk house, and an implement house. This expansion allowed for an additional 200 patients.
367:
discovered 200 food cans labeled with patient identification numbers from the hospital. The cans contained the remains of those who had died from 1941 to 1953, when the hospital crematory shut down. They had been in storage since the hospital closed in 1973. These cans were then buried at another
264:
The hospital was built to serve those who were found to be insane under the superior courts of
Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties. The hospital initially stated out with 100 patients that were transferred from Western State, all of those being male.
286:
Due to the rising population, a new male ward was constructed, and another wing was added to the already existing female ward. A power house, stack boiler, and automatic stokers were also built. Improvements were also made to the heating and lighting. This expansion was proposed in 1917 but was
268:
In 1913, four more ward buildings were commissioned to house patients. By 1915, the hospital held around 485 patients. At this time the hospital's population at this time remained fairly stagnant as it was treated as a branch of
Western State. This was changed in the same year, with legislature
403:
Only a few of the patients' graves have markers, bearing just a number, and initials. Many of these graves have been sunken under the surface of the soil or been damaged by weather, making them unreadable. Graves have also been found outside the cemetery fence, with many others thought to be
351:
showed that
Hesford had broken ribs on his left side. The testimony of the patients who witnessed the attack was discredited during the trial due to their mental conditions. Kyler was eventually acquitted by judge George Joiner and Hesford's death was blamed on his epilepsy.
316:
Later in the same month, a cook named Paul
Staudte was fired for refusing to serve rotten food. Staudte also accused the hospital of underfeeding patients. The hospital faced allegations of abuse of patients and overcrowding as well, leading to a state board inquiry.
832:
1005:
430:
355:
In 1981, parts of a small intestine and a human head were found at a chemical dump site off of
Mosquito Lake Road. These remains allegedly came from Northern State, who used the dump site for chemicals such as
346:
ward, was allegedly beaten by attendant K. K. Kyler after an altercation. Hesford died a week later. According to other patients, Kyler had stomped on
Hesford while he was laying on the ground. X-rays taken
283:
By 1917, the hospital consisted of 10 buildings and the held about 750 patients. 70 staff were employed at the hospital, with 46 of those being attendants. The patient to attendant ratio was 1 to 16.
339:
On
February 9, 1922, a patient named John Shellack was murdered in his bed with a razor, presumably by another patient. His murder remains unsolved and he was laid to rest at the hospital cemetery.
37:
1015:
301:
due to state budget cuts. The last patients left the hospital on August 16, 1973. The closure led to the loss of 500 jobs by hospital staff. The remaining patients were transferred to
871:
981:
294:
In 1921, another male ward was constructed with room for 49 patients. Two more stokers were also built the same year. In 1922, there was reportedly 1,084 patients.
819:
1010:
616:
472:
368:
cemetery. It is estimated that around 900 patients were cremated and buried in food cans both in the hospital cemetery and at other local cemeteries.
246:
in
Steilacoom. The construction of the hospital was suggested by Dr. Arthur P. Calhoun, who was the superintendent of Western State from 1906-1914.
1000:
404:
undiscovered north of the cemetery plot from early land records. Death records of patients who died from 1911-1963 only became available in 2023.
399:
In respectful memory of the 1,487 Northern State
Hospital patients interred in these grounds. May they now rest in peace with dignity. 1913 - 1972
163:
87:
974:
227:
189:
302:
243:
372:
410:
A few of the non-abandoned buildings are currently being used for job corps, titled "Cascades Job Corps
College and Career Academy".
360:
and broken laboratory apparatuses. The dump site served as the chemical waste disposal for Skagit and Whatcom counties up to 1977.
269:
approved for the hospital to receive patients from outside of Western State. Previously, the hospital only held transfer patients.
967:
20:
925:
313:
On August 9, 1921, a hospital attendant named James S. Hulen was murdered by a patient named Valentine Readal with a razor.
771:"Relatives find answers in Northern State Hospital death records as lawmakers pledge support to identify grave markers,"
80:
273:
231:
68:
376:
364:
329:
254:
375:
that from 1954-1958 radiation experiments were conducted on patients of the hospital in conjunction with the
272:
In response to this change, an expansion of the hospital was commissioned and granted to the architects
250:
453:
387:
dosages and monitored over a period of months. The study involved 6 adult men and 18 adult women.
72:
799:"Human Radiation Experiments Associated with the U.S. Department of Energy and Its Predecessors"
798:
617:"A former 'insane asylum' near Sedro-Woolley is stepping out of the shadows with a new tenant"
473:"A former 'insane asylum' near Sedro-Woolley is stepping out of the shadows with a new tenant"
951:
706:"Murdered At Hospital For State Insane: Patient Found Dead in Bed; No Clue, Say Officials,"
407:
The remaining buildings on the historic campus includes a dairy, silos, and work buildings.
333:
258:
693:"Letters Tell of Cruelty: Patients Taken Out and "Lost," Says Former Employee at Asylum,"
321:
298:
45:
226:, Washington. It was originally opened in 1912 and closed in 1973. It is listed on the
872:"Northern State Hospital death records have never been publicly available — until now"
207:
994:
223:
357:
325:
654:"Cook Fired at Sedro-Woolley for Throwing Moldy Rations of Patients to the Hogs,"
833:"Historic Skagit County mental institution gets a second life - Beyond Abandoned"
943:
418:
348:
288:
384:
277:
242:
The hospital was commissioned in 1909, in response to the overcrowding at the
102:
89:
343:
431:
National Register of Historic Places listings in Skagit County, Washington
950:
This article relating to a hospital in the U.S. state of Washington is a
336:. The hospital was accused of keeping the state allowance for each man.
124:
510:"With New Buildings, State's Method of Treating Insane to be Changed,"
380:
395:
A plaque at the cemetery site down the hill from the hospital reads:
1006:
National Register of Historic Places in Skagit County, Washington
230:. It is located 4 miles northeast from the city, and sits off of
926:
The Lost Patients of Washington’s abandoned psychiatric hospital
297:
The hospital was closed in 1973 under the direction of governor
856:
Brownstone, Sydney, "Relatives find answers in death records,"
732:
Partlow, Bob "McIntyre says chemicals biggest danger at dump,"
320:
The hospital was also accused of "redlighting", also known as
265:
These patients helped with the construction of the hospital.
745:
Valandra, Steve "No more action planned on body remains,"
38:
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
912:
Under the Red Roof, 100 years at Northern State Hospital
549:"Local Architects Plan Buildings At Northern Hospital,"
955:
342:
On July 6, 1928, John Wilson Hesford, a patient at the
784:
Burns, Robert, "Study: Not all radiation tests bad,"
680:"Victims of "Redlighting": Where Are These 2 Men?,"
305:, while others were released to the general public.
16:
Washington State psychiatric hospital closed in 1973
200:
159:
154:
146:
138:
133:
123:
118:
79:
64:
59:
31:
641:"Hospital Attendant's Throat Slashed with Razor,"
588:"Much Produce Raised By Five State Institutions,"
249:The buildings were designed by Seattle architects
892:Muhlstein, Julie "The tale of a true eccentric,"
601:"Northern State Hospital to become silent park,"
1016:Washington (state) building and structure stubs
820:File:Cemetery sign, Northern State Hospital.jpg
383:was injected into the veins of patients at 100
291:, with the buildings being completed in 1919.
975:
8:
758:"Mortician wants relatives to claim ashes,"
523:"Control Board Calls for Power House Bids,"
719:"Kyler Case Ends With Not Guilty Verdict,"
497:Cochran, W. H., "Northern State Hospital,"
982:
968:
28:
448:
446:
190:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
562:"Finish Plans for Hospital Building," Th
257:style. The grounds were designed by the
442:
328:, one patient was allegedly dumped in
173:
26:Hospital in Washington, United States
7:
1011:Western United States hospital stubs
940:
938:
228:National Register of Historic Places
363:In 1983, Hawthorne Funeral Home in
954:. You can help Knowledge (XXG) by
870:Blatchford, Taylor (16 Jul 2023).
373:United States Department of Energy
14:
536:"State Building Campaign Opens,"
421:, Pacific Northwest based author
324:. In a 1920 case explored by the
222:is a historic hospital campus in
21:Winnebago Mental Health Institute
942:
371:In 1995, it was revealed by the
44:
1001:Hospitals in Washington (state)
697:, September 3, 1921, pg 1, 14.
667:"Inhumanity at Sedro-Woolley,"
928:(seattletimes.com 16 Jul 2023)
831:Erickson, Anne (27 Oct 2020).
658:, September 2, 1921, pg 1, 20.
332:, while another was dumped in
261:landscape architecture firm.
202:
1:
575:"Call Bids for Well Digging,"
164:Hospitals in Washington State
50:Northern State Hospital, 2013
723:, October 31, 1928, pg 1, 5.
171:United States historic place
579:, September 18, 1921, pg 5.
309:Incidents and Controversies
1032:
937:
801:. U.S Department of Energy
684:, September 9, 1921, pg 2.
671:, September 3, 1921, pg 6.
458:www.skagitriverjournal.com
18:
514:, August 15, 1915, pg 23.
454:"Northern State Hospital"
232:Washington State Route 20
201:NRHP reference
196:
187:
180:
176:
169:
55:
43:
36:
860:, August 1, 2023, pg A7.
788:, August 18, 1995, pg 3.
775:, July 30, 2023, pg c9.
645:, August 10, 1921, pg 1
605:, August 17, 1973, pg 1.
553:, April 20, 1919, pg 23.
540:, April 22, 1917, pg 23
527:, July 28, 1917, pg 10.
377:University of Washington
330:Grand Junction, Colorado
255:Spanish Colonial Revival
103:48.530556°N 122.206667°W
19:Not to be confused with
749:, June 18, 1981, pg 13.
577:The Tacoma Daily Ledger
551:The Tacoma Daily Ledger
538:The Tacoma Daily Ledger
525:The Tacoma Daily Ledger
512:The Tacoma Daily Ledger
499:The Washington Standard
220:Northern State Hospital
182:Northern State Hospital
32:Northern State Hospital
896:, Dec 15, 2017, pg A3.
592:, Jan 20, 1922, pg 13.
501:, May 26, 1916, pp 3.
401:
303:Western State Hospital
244:Western State Hospital
108:48.530556; -122.206667
786:The Bellingham Herald
762:, May 2, 1983, pg 11.
760:The Bellingham Herald
747:The Bellingham Herald
736:, June 8, 1981, pg 8.
734:The Bellingham Herald
721:The Bellingham Herald
603:The Bellingham Herald
590:The Bellingham Herald
566:, May 8, 1921, pg 21.
564:e Tacoma Daily Ledger
397:
379:. In the experiment,
773:The Spokesman-Review
710:, Feb 9, 1922, pg 4.
708:Seattle Union Record
643:The Spokesman-Review
858:Longview Daily News
623:. The Seattle Times
479:. The Seattle Times
251:Saunders and Lawton
99: /
963:
962:
217:
216:
213:
212:
1023:
984:
977:
970:
946:
939:
915:
910:McGoffin, Mary.
897:
894:The Daily Herald
890:
884:
883:
881:
879:
867:
861:
854:
848:
847:
845:
843:
828:
822:
817:
811:
810:
808:
806:
795:
789:
782:
776:
769:
763:
756:
750:
743:
737:
730:
724:
717:
711:
704:
698:
695:The Seattle Star
691:
685:
682:The Seattle Star
678:
672:
669:The Seattle Star
665:
659:
656:The Seattle Star
652:
646:
639:
633:
632:
630:
628:
621:seattletimes.com
612:
606:
599:
593:
586:
580:
573:
567:
560:
554:
547:
541:
534:
528:
521:
515:
508:
502:
495:
489:
488:
486:
484:
477:seattletimes.com
468:
462:
461:
450:
414:Notable Patients
334:Norman, Oklahoma
259:Olmsted Brothers
204:
174:
114:
113:
111:
110:
109:
104:
100:
97:
96:
95:
92:
48:
29:
1031:
1030:
1026:
1025:
1024:
1022:
1021:
1020:
991:
990:
989:
988:
935:
932:
922:
909:
906:
904:Further reading
901:
900:
891:
887:
877:
875:
874:. Seattle Times
869:
868:
864:
855:
851:
841:
839:
830:
829:
825:
818:
814:
804:
802:
797:
796:
792:
783:
779:
770:
766:
757:
753:
744:
740:
731:
727:
718:
714:
705:
701:
692:
688:
679:
675:
666:
662:
653:
649:
640:
636:
626:
624:
614:
613:
609:
600:
596:
587:
583:
574:
570:
561:
557:
548:
544:
535:
531:
522:
518:
509:
505:
496:
492:
482:
480:
470:
469:
465:
452:
451:
444:
439:
427:
416:
393:
322:patient dumping
311:
287:delayed due to
274:Heath and Grove
240:
192:
183:
172:
107:
105:
101:
98:
93:
90:
88:
86:
85:
75:, United States
51:
27:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1029:
1027:
1019:
1018:
1013:
1008:
1003:
993:
992:
987:
986:
979:
972:
964:
961:
960:
947:
930:
929:
921:
920:External links
918:
917:
916:
905:
902:
899:
898:
885:
862:
849:
837:KING 5 Evening
823:
812:
790:
777:
764:
751:
738:
725:
712:
699:
686:
673:
660:
647:
634:
607:
594:
581:
568:
555:
542:
529:
516:
503:
490:
463:
441:
440:
438:
435:
434:
433:
426:
423:
415:
412:
392:
389:
310:
307:
239:
236:
215:
214:
211:
210:
205:
198:
197:
194:
193:
188:
185:
184:
181:
178:
177:
170:
167:
166:
161:
157:
156:
152:
151:
148:
144:
143:
140:
136:
135:
131:
130:
127:
121:
120:
116:
115:
83:
77:
76:
66:
62:
61:
57:
56:
53:
52:
49:
41:
40:
34:
33:
25:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1028:
1017:
1014:
1012:
1009:
1007:
1004:
1002:
999:
998:
996:
985:
980:
978:
973:
971:
966:
965:
959:
957:
953:
948:
945:
941:
936:
933:
927:
924:
923:
919:
913:
908:
907:
903:
895:
889:
886:
873:
866:
863:
859:
853:
850:
838:
834:
827:
824:
821:
816:
813:
800:
794:
791:
787:
781:
778:
774:
768:
765:
761:
755:
752:
748:
742:
739:
735:
729:
726:
722:
716:
713:
709:
703:
700:
696:
690:
687:
683:
677:
674:
670:
664:
661:
657:
651:
648:
644:
638:
635:
622:
618:
611:
608:
604:
598:
595:
591:
585:
582:
578:
572:
569:
565:
559:
556:
552:
546:
543:
539:
533:
530:
526:
520:
517:
513:
507:
504:
500:
494:
491:
478:
474:
467:
464:
459:
455:
449:
447:
443:
436:
432:
429:
428:
424:
422:
420:
413:
411:
408:
405:
400:
396:
390:
388:
386:
382:
378:
374:
369:
366:
361:
359:
353:
350:
345:
340:
337:
335:
331:
327:
323:
318:
314:
308:
306:
304:
300:
295:
292:
290:
284:
281:
279:
275:
270:
266:
262:
260:
256:
252:
247:
245:
237:
235:
233:
229:
225:
224:Sedro-Woolley
221:
209:
206:
199:
195:
191:
186:
179:
175:
168:
165:
162:
158:
153:
149:
145:
141:
137:
132:
128:
126:
122:
117:
112:
84:
82:
78:
74:
70:
69:Sedro-Woolley
67:
63:
58:
54:
47:
42:
39:
35:
30:
22:
956:expanding it
949:
934:
931:
911:
893:
888:
876:. Retrieved
865:
857:
852:
840:. Retrieved
836:
826:
815:
803:. Retrieved
793:
785:
780:
772:
767:
759:
754:
746:
741:
733:
728:
720:
715:
707:
702:
694:
689:
681:
676:
668:
663:
655:
650:
642:
637:
625:. Retrieved
620:
610:
602:
597:
589:
584:
576:
571:
563:
558:
550:
545:
537:
532:
524:
519:
511:
506:
498:
493:
481:. Retrieved
476:
466:
457:
417:
409:
406:
402:
398:
394:
391:Post-Closure
370:
365:Mount Vernon
362:
358:formaldehyde
354:
341:
338:
326:Seattle Star
319:
315:
312:
296:
293:
285:
282:
271:
267:
263:
253:, using the
248:
241:
219:
218:
119:Organization
615:Judd, Ron.
471:Judd, Ron.
419:John Patric
349:post mortem
289:World War I
129:Psychiatric
106: /
94:122°12′24″W
81:Coordinates
995:Categories
437:References
385:microcurie
278:Tacoma, WA
91:48°31′50″N
73:Washington
344:epileptic
299:Dan Evans
60:Geography
425:See also
208:10001043
65:Location
878:19 July
842:19 July
805:4 April
627:1 April
483:1 April
381:Iron-55
238:History
134:History
147:Closed
139:Opened
160:Lists
155:Links
952:stub
880:2023
844:2023
807:2024
629:2024
485:2024
150:1973
142:1912
125:Type
276:of
234:.
203:No.
997::
835:.
619:.
475:.
456:.
445:^
71:,
983:e
976:t
969:v
958:.
914:.
882:.
846:.
809:.
631:.
487:.
460:.
23:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
