Batavia Institute

The Batavia Institute is a former hospital in Illinois built in 1854 using limestone from nearby quarries and designed in Greek Revival style with tall columns and evenly spaced windows. Its sturdy stone walls and symmetrical proportions reflect the architectural standards of mid-19th-century American hospital design.

The building opened in 1854 as a tuberculosis sanatorium, reflecting medical practices of that era, and was converted to a private hospital for women in 1867 under Dr. Richard J. Patterson. It operated in various capacities through the 20th century before becoming residential apartments in the 1980s, and was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The building is now private residential property and cannot be entered, but visitors can see the exterior Greek Revival architecture and classic limestone facade from the street. It is part of local historic walking routes that explore Batavia's architectural heritage and is located in a quiet residential neighborhood.

Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of President Abraham Lincoln, stayed here for several months in 1875 seeking treatment and rest, making this building a site of national historical interest. This connection to a prominent historical figure remains one of the most memorable chapters in the building's past.