True Life Tuesday: Eloise Psychiatric Hospital

With Halloween coming up I decided to bring you a bit of spooky history. This is the story of the Eloise Psychiatric Hospital.

The facility is located in Westland Michigan. It opened in 1839 to replace the Wayne County Poor  House in Hamtramck Township. There were three sections to the complex - the hospital (psychiatric), infirmary (poor house) and sanitorium (tuberculosis hospital).  The complex was completely self sufficient and even had its own zip code. The site swelled to 902 acres and 70 buildings. The population grew from 35 in 1839 to 10,000 during the Great Depression. The most famous resident was inventor Elijah McCoy. He spent a year at the hospital before his death.

The location was the site of some pioneering medical procedures. The site was the location of the first kidney dialyses unit in the state. They also pioneered the use of music therapy and were the first to use "open air" therapy for tuberculosis. Unfortunately the site also made use of more controversial treatments like lobotomy and shock therapy. 

The state took over the facility in 1977 and started shutting down areas of the complex. The psychiatric division closed in 1982 and the hospital was closed in 1986. The site has gone through some changes including being developed for condos, a gold course and a strip mall.

With the tragic history of the site stories of it being haunted have persisted since the site was closed. Many people, including a former security guard, have claimed to see apparitions at the site. People have also found jars containing human body parts and documents detailing gruesome medical procedures on the site. Recently a haunted attraction opened at the site and you can also take paranormal tours occasionally, especially around Halloween. The site was also the inspiration for the 2017 horror movie Eloise starring Eliza Dushku.