Dixmont State Hospital

The Department of the Insane in Western Pennsylvania Hospital occupied a self-sufficient campus with farmland, a rail station, and its own utilities northwest of Pittsburgh.

Founded in 1862 with state funding of $10,000, the institution began operations with 113 patients transferred from Western Pennsylvania Hospital and expanded to accommodate 1,500 patients.

The hospital implemented various treatment methods over decades, from therapeutic farming activities to clinical procedures, reflecting changes in mental health care approaches.

The institution maintained its own water treatment, electricity generation, post office, and farming operations, employing numerous skilled workers throughout its functioning years.

The hospital grounds included specialized buildings like Reed Hall and the Cammarata Building, designed according to medical facility standards for patient comfort and air circulation.

Location: Kilbuck Township

Inception: 1862

GPS coordinates: 40.51583,-80.11222

Latest update: May 15, 2025 00:33