Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia, was the largest hand-cut stone building in North America when it opened in 1864. Originally designed for 250 patients, it eventually housed 2,400. Today it is renowned as one of America’s most haunted locations.

The History

The asylum operated for 130 years. Built to be a humane alternative to the old asylum system, it became overcrowded and underfunded. Treatments included lobotomies, electroshock therapy, and hydrotherapy.

The Ghosts

Thousands died in the asylum over its history, and many seem to remain. The ghost of a young girl named Lily is frequently seen and heard. Civil War soldiers walk the halls. Former patients appear in their rooms.

The Most Active Areas

Ward F, where violent patients were held, is particularly active. The electroshock room generates feelings of dread. The morgue produces unexplained phenomena. The tunnels beneath the building are said to be especially haunted.

Assessment

Trans-Allegheny combines massive scale, long history, and intensive human suffering. These factors may explain why so many visitors experience phenomena.