Austin State Hospital

Austin State Hospital (ASH), formerly known until 1925 as the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, is a 299-bed psychiatric hospital located in Austin, Texas. It is the oldest psychiatric facility in the state of Texas, and the oldest continuously operating west of the Mississippi River.[1] It is operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Austin State Hospital
The former State Lunatic Asylum is now the administration building for the Austin State Hospital campus.
Location4110 Guadalupe
Austin, Texas, USA
Coordinates30°18′26.64″N 97°44′13.92″W
Built1857
ArchitectCharles Payne
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.87002115
RTHL No.15648
TSAL No.598
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 4, 1987
Designated RTHL1966
Designated TSAL7/20/1999

History (1856-1860)

The Texas State Lunatic Asylum was chartered by the Texas Legislature on August 28, 1856. The Act set aside $50,000 in U.S. bonds for the construction of a suitable building. The Governor was authorized to appoint a commission of three men to select a site of between 50 and 100 acres for the asylum, and to appoint a physician to serve as Superintendent at a salary of $2,000 per year and $10,000 in U.S. bonds was set aside for operations of the facility.[2] Gov. Elisha M. Pease appointed Dr. J. C. Perry as the first Superintendent on May 27, 1857.[3] He was replaced by Dr. C. G. Keenan on February 13, 1858.[3]

Dr. Beriah Graham Superintendency (1860-1861)

Sam Houston was elected governor in 1859 and appointed Dr. Beriah Graham as Superintendent on January 9, 1860.[3] It was during Dr. Graham's tenure that the Main Building was completed and opened for patients on March 11, 1861.[3] Five days later, Gov. Houston resigned, and his successor, Gov. Edward Clark, re-appointed Dr. Keenan. Dr. Keenan served for about seven months until a new governor was elected later that year.

Dr. J. M. Steiner Superintendency (1861-1865)

Gov. Francis Lubbock appointed Dr. J. M. Steiner as Superintendent on November 1, 1861.[3]

Support organizations

Austin State Hospital's Volunteer Services Council (VSC) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. The VSC conducts fundraiser and donation programs and helps build community awareness about mental illness and the role of Austin State Hospital in the treatment of mental illness.

  • Entrance to the Austin State Hospital

References
  1. Services, Texas Department of State Health. "The Texas Department of State Health Services - Austin State Hospital". dshs.texas.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  2. "Texas Lunatic Asylum". Texas State Gazette. November 22, 1856.
  3. Clay, W. J. (1904). Statistical Report 1904. Austin, Texas: Von Boeckmann-Jones. p. 190.



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