Taunton State Hospital

The Taunton State Hospital (officially known as the State Lunatic Hospital at Taunton) is a psychiatric hospital built in 1854 in Taunton, Massachusetts. The architecture of most of the facility's buildings is of a unique and rare neo-classical style -- designed by the architect Elbridge Boyden. Most of the buildings have been vacant since 1975. However, the site continues to accommodate mentally ill patients, juvenile offenders, and branch offic... more

The Taunton State Hospital (officially known as the State Lunatic Hospital at Taunton) is a psychiatric hospital built in 1854 in Taunton, Massachusetts. The architecture of most of the facility's buildings is of a unique and rare neo-classical style -- designed by the architect Elbridge Boyden. Most of the buildings have been vacant since 1975. However, the site continues to accommodate mentally ill patients, juvenile offenders, and branch offices of various state agencies, including the Southeast Massachusetts offices of the Department of Mental Health. Unfortunately, most of the abandoned buildings on the grounds of the hospital are left neglected. On March 19, 2006, fire ravaged a portion of the original main building, destroying part of its historical value. Liberman et al. Am J Psychiatry.2003; 160: 2098 less