Ontario Abandoned Places will be rebranded as Ominous Abandoned Places

Regional Mental Health Care

Demolished Hospital in London, Ontario, Canada

Nov 20 2014

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Recent status Demolished
Location # 11451

Historically, this site was known as the Asylum for the Insane, one of the original buildings of which still remains on the site. In its last generation, it was the London Psychiatric Hospital. Until this month, it was Regional Mental Health Care London. Now, it is simply a building with a history, and most likely no future.

Since the London Asylum for the Insane was opened in 1870, the property has been used in one way or another for mental health care. Though mental health care has evolved substantially in the past 144 years, the goal has remained the same. That said, London has always prided itself as being on the forefront of humane and compassionate care compared to the 19th and early 20th century industry standard of treating the mentally ill as prisoners.

The first superintendent of the asylum was a man by the name of Henry Landor, who was a pioneer in the field. He was later followed by Dr. Richard Maurice Bucke, a friend of poet Walt Whitman. The Hollywood film [i]Beautiful Dreamers[/i] was about the relationship between Whitman and Bucke and was set at the London hospital.

It was while Bucke was working at the London asylum that his famous book [i]Cosmic Consciousness[/i], that revolutionized psychiatry, was written.

This building was built in 1968.

Regional Mental Health Care London was closed because of yet another evolution in the way the mentally ill are treated, which led to the hospital organization, St. Joseph's Health Care, opening a new facility at the brand new Parkwood Institute in London, opened officially on November 17th, 2014.

After St. Joseph's closed the former Regional Mental Health Care St. Thomas (St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital formerly) in lieu of the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, the latest change was the migration of services from RMHC London to the Parkwood Institute.

On November 16, 2014, the final move of patients and services to the new facility took place, forever ending healthcare services at RMHC London. For the next month, administrative services still operate out of a small section of the facility, but all units are empty. In January, the site will be handed over to the provincial government, which has no plans for the aging property.

The sub-basement has been out of commission for several years, and has decayed in many places. The same drab colours and "institutional" feel permeate in the rest of the building. There is a morgue on site, but I wasn't able to find it. I believe it is in the basement. There are some exterior cameras as well as cameras on parts of the main level, but movement within the facility is relatively easy undetected, despite a small security presence on-site. Entry is tougher.

Comments

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2 years ago

Progress is moving along with the rehabilitation of this site. Fencing surrounds the entire property and only the tower remains of the newer hospital buildings. Unsure of the status of the church, recreation building or infirmary.

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2 years ago

So both north and south pavilions are gone? I kind of expected that, but I read a news article that listed the eight buildings being demolished and it only included the north pavilion. Makes me wonder what they're planning on doing with the other buildings (provided the list was even remotely correct.) Article here: https://london.ctvnews.ca/redevelopment-of-london-psychiatric-hospital-sails-past-first-planning-hurdle-1.5925494

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3 years ago

Some good news on this one: It looks as though security is no longer permanently stationed on-site. No clue about POEs or patrols, but the last few weeks there have been no cars parked whereas there always used to be one or two.

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4 years ago

Very hard to get in to. One side has an active hospital, the second side is a police station. Behind it is a giant open field, very easy to be spotted. Front area has full time security.

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10 years ago

Nice job Andrew, very cool spot!

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10 years ago

Just as an FYI, Cerulean, entry is not a guarantee. So if you are going to make the drive in, plan some other stuff locally just in case.

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10 years ago

I'd love to see this place. Anyone want to carpool from the Fergus area?

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10 years ago

Very nice! Fascinating history, this place is great.

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10 years ago

Thanks gentlemen.

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10 years ago

I'm up for hitting this place. Well done on getting in here Andrew!

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10 years ago

Looks awesome. I'll let you know when i'm around London next OAP, i'd love to check out this place.