Northern State Hospital: Abandoned Mental Asylum Haunting Washington

Haunted facilityPhoto byStefano PollioonUnsplash

Perhaps one of the eeriest ghost towns in Washington State is that of Northern State Mental Hospital. Located near the town of Sedro-Woolley, the former mental hospital is a stark reminder of how mental illness used to be treated by the medical profession.

At one point in time, the facility housed over 2700 patients. Unfortunately, now, there are as many as 1500 people known to have been buried in the abandoned facility, possibly more.

Established in 1909, the 700-acre farm was designed to offer jobs for the mentally ill. Patients and staff enjoyed modern conveniences such as a library, gymnasium, bakery, and dairy, not to mention the farms designated for food production.

Patients were supposed to work on the farm as part of their medical treatment. Originally, it was set up to take the overflow from Western State Hospital. In time, it became a vital institution for mental health care in the state of Washington.

At its peak, it had its own water reservoir, rock quarry, and sewer system. The grounds even featured a steam plant, lumber mill, and facilities to can the foods grown on the 700-acre farm so that there was a continual supply of food.

In 1976, however, things took a turn for the worse when the state of Washington suddenly cut off funding to the facility. This led to its eventual closure and contributed to its becoming a ghost town.

Now, it is one of the freakiest deserted locations in all of Washington. It is said to be haunted, and as many as 1,500 people are known to be buried there—possibly more.

Today, visitors to the Northern State Recreation Area can see how the residents lived in the mental facility. While most buildings still stand, visitors can’t go through them for safety reasons; you can peer into windows and see how the people who resided there lived.

Being there after dark when no one else is around can be creepy. However, it’s a haven for many curious ghost hunters and explorers who are seeking spooky places to explore. The facility is ideally set up so that visitors can picture, imagine, and immerse themselves in the once-thriving and vibrant community.

The grounds of Northern State Mental Hospital were designed by the designers of Manhattan’s Central Park Architects. Many of the buildings were created by the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape firm.

The grounds of the facility offer visitors the same unique charm as Central Park and the buildings on the property were crafted by Saunders and Lawton architectural firm which only adds to the historical ambiance of the facility.

Visit the Northern State Recreation Center facility —it’s free for everyone. It’s a short drive from Burlington, Washington, along Highway 20 East. Turn North on Helmick Road just before you reach the parking lot.

The facility stands as a haunting reminder of the evolution of mental health care and how quickly things can change and create a ghost town.

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