Nestled in Waupun, Wisconsin, Central State Hospital opened its doors in 1914 as a facility for the criminally insane, authorized by Chapter 585, Laws of 1911.
Initially known as the Hospital for the Criminal Insane, it was later renamed Central State Hospital for the Insane in 1917, and eventually shortened to Central State Hospital in 1941.
The institution was designed to house inmates who, due to mental health issues, could not be accommodated in regular prisons. Over the years, it underwent several administrative changes, coming under the purview of various state departments until its closure in 1983.
Shadows of the Past
While Central State Hospital in Wisconsin has its own somber history, it’s worth noting that other institutions with the same name have also been associated with eerie tales.
For instance, the Central State Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been the subject of numerous paranormal reports. Visitors have recounted hearing disembodied voices, ghostly moans, and even witnessing shadowy figures lingering on the grounds where the hospital once stood.
The Legacy Lives On
Today, the original structures of Wisconsin’s Central State Hospital no longer stand, but the institution’s legacy endures. The site has been repurposed, and the Wisconsin Resource Center now operates nearby, continuing the mission of mental health care and rehabilitation.
While tales of hauntings are more prominently associated with other Central State Hospitals, Wisconsin’s facility’s history remains a poignant reminder of the evolution of mental health care and the importance of humane treatment for all individuals.
