The Former DeJarnette Sanitorium, nestled amidst the lush greenery of Staunton, Virginia, stands as a haunting testament to its grim past and the evolution of psychiatric care in the United States. Founded in 1932 by Joseph DeJarnette, this once-bustling institution was an integral part of the Western State Hospital (previously known as the Western Lunatic Asylum). The sanitariums history is a complex tapestry woven with threads of both darkness and resilience.

As you approach the Former DeJarnette Sanitorium, its crumbling façade looms before you like a specter from a distant time. Once a place where hope and healing were sought for those suffering from various psychiatric conditions, this dilapidated structure now stands as a popular attraction for urban explorers. Its abandoned halls whisper stories of the tormented souls who once resided within its walls, while the ivy that clings to its weathered brickwork seems to seek solace in the shadows cast by the once-grand building.

The sanitariums history is deeply intertwined with that of Joseph Spencer DeJarnette, a man who believed fervently in the practice of eugenics. As manager of the institution, he advocated for the compulsory sterilization of mentally ill individuals, a belief that has since been discredited and condemned as a horrific chapter in our nations past. Nonetheless, the Former DeJarnette Sanitorium remains an important part of Stauntons history, serving as a chilling reminder of the darker aspects of psychiatric care in the United States.

Despite its haunting past, the sanitarium continues to hold a fascination for visitors and locals alike. Its crumbling edifice serves as a poignant symbol of the passage of time and the impermanence of human endeavors. As you stand before this imposing structure, allow yourself to be transported back in time to a period when psychiatric care was vastly different from what we know today. Listen closely, for the echoes of history can still be heard within these decaying walls.