Lima State Hospital - Lima, Ohio (Bowling Green, Green: home, university, closing)

[djwidman]

Originally Posted by joe quickle

I have spent quite a few years at the Lima Corrections starting in the mid 70's. There is a book titled "Chamber of Horrors" about the Mental side of the place and the terrible things that went on there. The Plain Dealer newspaper is or was in controll of this book and can not be published because some of the guards responsible for murders are or were still alive. I have not been able to find this book but would like to obtain a copy if it does in fact exist. If anyone can obtain info about this please inform me. I to have many stories abouit thisplace, and seen first hane some of the things uncovered there while the Corrections part took overe. I was one of the 400 first inmates there to assist in the clean-up.

My father (Richard C. Widman, now deceased) was one of the Plain Dealer writers that investigated and reported on lima State in the 70s. their stories appear in the booklet Chamber Of Horrors. I have a copy of this book.

[Theresa Scholl]

I am tryng to get acces to the cemetery. My great uncle spent over 30 years there. His letters home to his sister (my great grandmother) were pitiful. He was first sent to a local hospital and he killed a guard so he was sent to Lima. I am trying to locate his grave site. Any help would be apppreciated. I just now found the name of the cemetery after days of internet searching. He went there in 1910 and died in 1941.

[daileyhistoricalarchives]

Theresa-
The Elizabeth M. MacDonell Memorial Library, at the Allen County Museum would probably be the place to go to find exactly where your great uncle is buried at. In order to get access to the cemetery itself, you will need to contact Allen Correctional Institute, the prison adjacent to the former Lima State Hospital. You'll need to set up an appointment and be escorted over. Good luck. I'd love to hear more about your search.


Original Post: I am tryng to get acces to the cemetery. My great uncle spent over 30 years there. His letters home to his sister (my great grandmother) were pitiful. He was first sent to a local hospital and he killed a guard so he was sent to Lima. I am trying to locate his grave site. Any help would be apppreciated. I just now found the name of the cemetery after days of internet searching. He went there in 1910 and died in 1941.

[daileyhistoricalarchives]

I am happy to say that I recently received the personal photo albums of Frank L. Packard, the architect of the Lima State Hospital. Some amazing shots! Also acquired a letter from the Governor stating the LSH was ready to begin receiving patients.

Anyone with questions or with stories they would like to share may contact me directly at jdaileyii@yahoo.com. I have dedicated my life to preserving the history of this building and appreciate any related correspondence.

Here is a poster I designed awhile back featuring a few items I have gathered.

[Theresa Scholl]

I fount this web site that has the names of inmate graves that sre still at the cemetery.
Lima_State_Hospital_Cemetery_Lima_OH (http://www.bellamorte.net/Lima_State_Hospital_Cemetery_Lima_OH.html - broken link)

[drc2000]

I worked at LCI from 2000- 2003. I can say that there were some weird things that went on inside the institution as far as noises, sightings and paranormal activity. I wish they wouldnt have closed that place though it was a GREAT place to work. When you went there you knew you were in a prison or place to house mental people (prior to prison). I remember when they attempted to build a new Seg Unit and tried to break through the old wall, it cracked the crane ball. That place was built solid as a rock. I hope they re-open that place before I retire from DRC b/c I will go back. I wish I too knew more about the history of that place.

[drc2000]

Originally Posted by BillyMilligan

My name is Billy Milligan and I was tortured as a form of treatment
Dont beleive it? read my book

Billy Milligan has not been heard from for years.........I know he was sent to LSH. I would be highly suprisedif this is the real Billy Milligan???

[Mickey78]

Originally Posted by djwidman

My father (Richard C. Widman, now deceased) was one of the Plain Dealer writers that investigated and reported on lima State in the 70s. their stories appear in the booklet Chamber Of Horrors. I have a copy of this book.

I searched out Chamber of Horrors and it got me to this forum. I am interested in getting a copy of the booklet. Can you tell me where you got yours so I can get one? Thanks!

[Mickey78]

Originally Posted by drc2000

I worked at LCI from 2000- 2003. I can say that there were some weird things that went on inside the institution as far as noises, sightings and paranormal activity. I wish they wouldnt have closed that place though it was a GREAT place to work. When you went there you knew you were in a prison or place to house mental people (prior to prison). I remember when they attempted to build a new Seg Unit and tried to break through the old wall, it cracked the crane ball. That place was built solid as a rock. I hope they re-open that place before I retire from DRC b/c I will go back. I wish I too knew more about the history of that place.

Not a chance of re-opening the place. Too much damage. Besides, they cannibalized the place when they closed it down.

I've heard a lot of ghost stories out of LCI. Ghost Hunters actually contacted DRC to go in there to see what they could find, but they were told no. That would be a great show.

[eksohorg]

Originally Posted by joe quickle

I have spent quite a few years at the Lima Corrections starting in the mid 70's. There is a book titled "Chamber of Horrors" about the Mental side of the place and the terrible things that went on there. The Plain Dealer newspaper is or was in controll of this book and can not be published because some of the guards responsible for murders are or were still alive. I have not been able to find this book but would like to obtain a copy if it does in fact exist. If anyone can obtain info about this please inform me. I to have many stories abouit thisplace, and seen first hane some of the things uncovered there while the Corrections part took overe. I was one of the 400 first inmates there to assist in the clean-up.

Quickle I remember you, you were a 'good' convict, I don't use the term convict loosely, you must be old school to be a convict. LCI didn't open up till 82, it was still a bug house through the 70's, I worked at LSH and for the entire duration of LCI, some of the stories I have read by these people I can explain, I was behind some of the 'ghosts' but there are some that are real, there was stuff that happened there that as I think about it now, it raises the goose bumps on me now, things that can't be explained, having worked there till I retired, there was plenty to witness.