Henryton State Hospital

Henryton State Hospital was a facility located in Marriottsville, in the southern part of Carroll County, Maryland, United States. Initially established as a tuberculosis sanatorium for the African American population of Maryland in the early 20th century, it later transitioned into a hospital for patients with developmental disabilities before its closure in the late 20th century.

History

The Henryton State Hospital was originally opened in 1922 as the Henryton Sanatorium, a response to the need for healthcare facilities treating tuberculosis, particularly for the African American community, during a time when segregation was prevalent in the United States. The facility was part of a broader network of tuberculosis hospitals in Maryland, which were segregated by race.

In the 1960s, as the incidence of tuberculosis declined due to medical advancements, Henryton transitioned into a center for the care of individuals with developmental disabilities. This shift reflected broader changes in public health policy and the treatment of mental health conditions.

Despite efforts to adapt to changing healthcare needs, Henryton faced numerous challenges, including overcrowding, underfunding, and allegations of poor conditions and mistreatment of patients. These issues were symptomatic of larger systemic problems within state-run institutions for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled.

Closure and Aftermath

Henryton State Hospital was officially closed in 1985, following the trend of deinstitutionalization, where patients were moved from state-run hospitals to community-based care settings. After its closure, the facility fell into disrepair, becoming a site for vandalism, arson, and urban exploration. The buildings were heavily damaged by fires and neglect, leading to safety concerns and calls for the site to be demolished.

In 2013, the state of Maryland began the process of demolishing the abandoned buildings to address these safety concerns and eliminate the nuisance the property had become. The demolition was completed in 2015, marking the end of Henryton State Hospital's physical presence.

Legacy

The history of Henryton State Hospital is a reflection of the evolution of healthcare and societal attitudes towards tuberculosis, racial segregation, and the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities in the United States. The site's transformation from a segregated tuberculosis sanatorium to a facility for developmental disabilities, and ultimately to an abandoned ruin, mirrors broader trends in public health policy, civil rights, and the move towards community-based care.

Today, the story of Henryton serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of providing healthcare to marginalized populations and the consequences of neglect and underfunding of public health institutions.

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