Fairfield Hills State Hospital

Photo of the outside of the employee dorms.

We are going to return to mental institutions for this post. Connecticut seemingly has the most abandoned institutions in the country, and as you can tell from this entire blog, this state is incredibly haunted. This hospital was built in 1931 and was one of the most used institutions for the time. Fairfield Hills had the capacity for over 4,000 patients, but like many other institutions during the time they often went way over capacity. This hospital was primarily made due to the overflow of other mental hospitals in the state (see what I mean). However, even with that there was a ratio of 200 patients to 1 doctor, and similarly 80 patients to 1 nurse. Therefore, many patients did not get any care, nonetheless the care they needed.

Wheelchair left in the abandoned buildings

Despite attempts from the state to diminish the cruelty in mental institutions, there were many claims of abuse and mental torment of the patients. This often led to suicides and even unexplained deaths throughout the time the hospital was in use. This hospital is unique because of the multitude of underground tunnels that connected all the buildings. They would lead to experimental labs and surgical facilities and even a morgue. In these underground facilities their would be lobotomies, electric shock therapy, hydrotherapy, and psycho-surgery. These tunnels would also lead to confinement rooms for particularly difficult patients. There is no information on how long they were down in these rooms, but I think it is safe to assume it was for a long time.

Terrifying image of the underground tunnels

The hospital was closed by the state in 1995 and the 16 buildings were closed off. Before the administrative members of the hospital left they were able to close off some of the tunnels, perhaps in order to keep the secrets within the grounds. Now some of the buildings are owned by the town of Newtown, and some buildings are used for administrative use and food shelters. Though it may be good to transition away from the darkness of the buildings, I automatically worry about disturbing the history.

absolutely chilling photo of the morgue in the underground tunnels 

This mental hospital has been used by MTV for thriller specials and is now infamous as the years have gone on. It represents the horrors of mental institutions of the time. Both the inside and the outside of the facilities are chilling and just lay untouched but have witnessed the true horrors of mankind. Many of the windows have been knocked out and the wind is able to just rush in making the hairs on your skin shoot straight up and add to the overall feeling of fear throughout the experience. As seen in the pictures it looks even more terrifying in the winter as the surrounding trees loom over like skeletons, which makes the rotting buildings stand out even more on the white landscape.

Many of the buildings are unsafe due to the age and lack of upkeep, so many of them are boarded off to prevent visitors harming themselves. However, the buildings that are able to be entered are truly chilling and it is rumored that some of the tunnels are still open.

As always, good luck!

original photo of the hospital