Danvers State Hospital, the inspiration for Gotham City's
Arkham Asylum, was built on the hill where the judge in the Salem Witch Trials
once lived. It's like they were asking for trouble right from the beginning.
This infamous hospital went on to become notorious for its cruelty to patients
and horrifying treatment methods.
Massachusetts built Danvers State Hospital in the 1870s for
a then-shocking $1.5 million. The imposing structure on the hill was an ornate
Gothic design that spread out over 700,000 square feet. Locals called it
"the castle on the hill."
Before it reached the end of its days, Danvers State Hospital was comprised of more than 40 buildings and other structures. There were nursing homes, staff housing, cottages, and shops. Beneath the buildings, a complex system of tunnels kept it all connected.
It was like nothing else in the United States when it opened
in 1878. Danvers didn't believe in restraining patients. It believed in curing
them. This was groundbreaking stuff at the time.
Written by KC Morgan
KC Morgan is a professional freelance writer. She has written thousands
of articles, on every topic from history to food hacks. Whether KC is
explaining how to complete a DIY project or exploring the world's
mysteries, she's writing about something every single day. Follow KC on
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