Difference between revisions of "Hollidaysburg State Hospital"

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(Created page with '{{infobox institution | name = Hollidaysburg State Hospital | image = | image_size = 250px | alt = | caption = | established = Sept 29, 1938 (As a PA State Hospital) | constru…')
 
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| established = Sept 29, 1938 (As a PA State Hospital)
 
| established = Sept 29, 1938 (As a PA State Hospital)
 
| construction_began = 1904
 
| construction_began = 1904
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| construction_ended =
 
| opened =
 
| opened =
 
| closed = 1979
 
| closed = 1979
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| architect(s) =
 
| architect(s) =
 
| location =
 
| location =
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| architecture_style =
 
| peak_patient_population = 369 in 1947
 
| peak_patient_population = 369 in 1947
 
| alternate_names =
 
| alternate_names =
*Blair County Hospital for Mental Diseases
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Blair County Hospital for Mental Diseases
*Hollidaysburg Veterans Home  
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Hollidaysburg Veterans Home  
 
}}
 
}}
 
[[image:Hollidaysburg 03.jpg|300px|left]]
 
[[image:Hollidaysburg 03.jpg|300px|left]]
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Renovations to Neil Hall and Rush Hall were completed in 1982 at a cost of $2.8 million for Rush Hall and $3.9 million for Neil Hall. Rush Hall, built in 1953, is now the administration building and nursing care facility. It was renamed Eisenhower Hall after the five-star general and president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Neil Hall, built in 1949, was renamed MacArthur? Hall after the former five-star general, Douglas MacArthur?. It is now the domiciliary care building. On April 10, 1992, the old Sommer Hall, built in 1954, officially became Arnold Hall, named after the five-star general and native Pennsylvanian, Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, who is considered the father of the Air Force. That $10.2 million project completed the conversion of the former state hospital to a veterans home.
 
Renovations to Neil Hall and Rush Hall were completed in 1982 at a cost of $2.8 million for Rush Hall and $3.9 million for Neil Hall. Rush Hall, built in 1953, is now the administration building and nursing care facility. It was renamed Eisenhower Hall after the five-star general and president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Neil Hall, built in 1949, was renamed MacArthur? Hall after the former five-star general, Douglas MacArthur?. It is now the domiciliary care building. On April 10, 1992, the old Sommer Hall, built in 1954, officially became Arnold Hall, named after the five-star general and native Pennsylvanian, Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, who is considered the father of the Air Force. That $10.2 million project completed the conversion of the former state hospital to a veterans home.
 
 
  
 
== Images of Hollidaysburg State Hospital ==
 
== Images of Hollidaysburg State Hospital ==
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File:Hollidaysburg 03.jpg
 
File:Hollidaysburg 03.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
 
  
 
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
 
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
 
[[Category:Cottage Plan]]
 
[[Category:Cottage Plan]]
 
[[Category:Closed Institution]]
 
[[Category:Closed Institution]]

Revision as of 09:16, 12 January 2010

Hollidaysburg State Hospital
Established Sept 29, 1938 (As a PA State Hospital)
Construction Began 1904
Closed 1979
Current Status Closed
Building Style Cottage Plan
Peak Patient Population 369 in 1947
Alternate Names Blair County Hospital for Mental Diseases Hollidaysburg Veterans Home



Hollidaysburg 03.jpg

Hollidaysburg State Hospital opened in 1904, as the Blair County Hospital for Mental Diseases. Built on what had been 150 acres of farmland. The original red brick building survives as the Old Administration Building, now home for the Pennsylvania National Guard's 28th Infantry Division Band.

On September 29, 1938 the state took control of the hospital as part of the "Full State Care Act". The legislature (Act #53) assumed responsibility for eight of the thirteen existing county public mental hospitals, the other five hospitals were closed. The facility was renamed to Hollidaysburg State Hospital in 1941. But it was not until after World War II that it began the expansion that resulted in the building of Rush Hall, Neil Hall, and Sommer Hall as the main housing and administration units of the complex. The grounds doubled in size, to 326 acres.

As the care of the mentally ill changed from custodial care to outpatient care, the patient population dwindled until a decision was made in the 1970s to shut it down.

The Department of Military Affairs was looking to expand its veterans homes system. At the time, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Erie, opened in 1886, was the only facility available. The decision to shut down Hollidaysburg was reversed and it was transferred to Military Affairs in September 1977. Five residents were admitted to the facility in June of that year on a pilot program.

Renovations to Neil Hall and Rush Hall were completed in 1982 at a cost of $2.8 million for Rush Hall and $3.9 million for Neil Hall. Rush Hall, built in 1953, is now the administration building and nursing care facility. It was renamed Eisenhower Hall after the five-star general and president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Neil Hall, built in 1949, was renamed MacArthur? Hall after the former five-star general, Douglas MacArthur?. It is now the domiciliary care building. On April 10, 1992, the old Sommer Hall, built in 1954, officially became Arnold Hall, named after the five-star general and native Pennsylvanian, Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, who is considered the father of the Air Force. That $10.2 million project completed the conversion of the former state hospital to a veterans home.

Images of Hollidaysburg State Hospital

Main Image Gallery: Hollidaysburg State Hospital