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 xtacyturbo
   
Location: Pittsburgh
Gender: Male
 |  |  |  | Weston State Hospital to be sold
< on 6/7/2007 1:54 AM >
|  | | | I was in Weston today for work and spotted this in the local paper. Many of the locals want the place saved, but with the state allowing the buyer to demolish, there's probably a very good chance that this Kirkbride won't see the end of the year. This hasn't been a good month for Kirks. 
From the Weston Democrat, 6/6/07:
Old Hospital Going on the Block
Ex-Mental Facility
Auction Aug. 29
The announcement last weekend that the state will auction off the historic Weston State Hospital to the highest bidder has dashed the hopes of many county residents who for years have fervently wished for a buyer who would revive the property and bring about an economic renaissance in the area.
On the other hand, other officials and residents seem relieved that something is finally being done about the facility which has been deteriorating for years.
The property will be sold on Aug. 29 after 13 years of unsuccessful attempts to sell it to an owner who would restore the buildings, convert the property to another use and, hopefully, hire hundreds of employees. The successful buyer at the auction will be permitted to tear the buildings down.
The main building is the largest hand-cut stone building in North America. The property consists of 307 acres. There are houses, farm buildings and roads on the property.
Work began on the hospital in 1858, prior to the Civil War. The war interrupted construction. In 1956, there was a record 2,375 patients at the hospital.
The hospital was in operation from 1864 to 1994 when the remaining patients were transferred to the new William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital here. Originally the facility was called the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
The main building is two-tenths of a mile long. It was designed by Richard S. Anderson of Baltimore. The complex had its own farm, dairy, waterworks and cemetery.
On Oct. 3, 1935, a patient started a fire that destroyed six men’s wards and caused a cupola to fall through the roof.
The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it is one of 16 National Historic Landmarks in the state.
Joy Stalnaker, a local historian who along with other volunteers worked for years cleaning, repairing and conducting tours of the hospital, said Monday:
“But it’s better than letting it sit there and fall apart. It’s time something happened, no doubt about it. I’m prayerful that they don’t tear it down. I can’t do any more, but I’m hopeful something happens.
“I’m hopeful something positive comes out of this. Weston and Lewis County need a shot in the arm.”
The state has spent about $1.9 million on upkeep and guards, said David Hildreth of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Some $500,000 more has been spent on feasibility studies and architectural work, he said.
“I’m excited about it--that the state’s going to move on development of the property,” Mayor Jon Tucci said Monday. “The property is the center of our community. My only hope and goal is that they ( the DHHR) let us have some input before they let it go. I’m hoping for a second meeting with them.”
It is generally conceded that it will cost $80 million to $90 million to restore the hospital building. The state fire marshal’s office halted tours of the property two years ago saying it was unsafe.
The state will reserve the right to reject any and all bids, Hildreth said.
Terri Burhans, the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce director, said, “ I’m excited about the opportunities the sale could bring to Lewis County and I hope that a portion of the property’s history can be preserved by the new owner. The Chamber looks forward to working with the new owner.”
A pre-bid conference will be held on the hospital’s front steps at 10 a.m. on July 18, to discuss details of the sale and provide information packets to prospective buyers. The auction will take place at 1 p.m. on Aug. 29. The state Department of Agriculture will retain the mineral rights to the property.
My photos of stuff: www.skuhnphoto.com |
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Soldat
    
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Gender: Male
The Mayor of Noobtown
| | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 1 on 6/8/2007 10:59 PM >
| | | | Its bullshit they would allow such a historical building to be destroyed so some company can put up a buch of condos or town homes. I hate how history sufferers so some people can make a buck.
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TDK1000
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 2 on 6/10/2007 2:13 AM >
| | | | Posted by Soldat222
Its bullshit they would allow such a historical building to be destroyed so some company can put up a buch of condos or town homes. I hate how history sufferers so some people can make a buck.
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I'm not trying to be an ass but as opposed to what? These buildings are so massive that there isn't exactly a lot of uses and the cost of retrofitting them is enormous. Leaving them to fall in on themselves just doesn’t make good sense regardless of how much fun they are to explore. Plus as long as someone has been building someone has come behind them and destroyed. It was pretty common practice in ancient times to take apart someone’s pyramid or temple and use those building materials to build your own pyramid or temple.
[last edit 6/10/2007 2:14 AM by TDK1000 - edited 1 times]
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90rock
Location: Calgary
Gender: Male
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 3 on 6/10/2007 6:50 PM >
| | | | But tearing down a NRHP landmark is just nuts!!!
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Soldat
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Gender: Male
The Mayor of Noobtown
| | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 4 on 6/10/2007 11:26 PM >
| | | | Im sure they could do something with it. Even if they have to totally destroy the insides to keep the facade it would be better than demo.
Its not just that its old and abandoned. its the fact it IS a NROHP site, its a historical landmark. There are how many kirkbrides standing in the world today? 10-15 maybe?
The state could give enough to stabilize it and prevent further deterioration of the property until it could be fully redone and repaired.
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xtacyturbo
Location: Pittsburgh
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 5 on 6/10/2007 11:44 PM >
| | | | Unfortunately the economy is so far down the tubes around here, the state really doesn't give a rat's ass about spending money to save a historic landmark. This is exactly why they put it up for sale with permission to demolish. A brand new shopping center in that location would drastically help the area's economy and job outlook. I'm not happy about it at all, but it's the truth.
My photos of stuff: www.skuhnphoto.com |
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90rock
Location: Calgary
Gender: Male
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 6 on 6/11/2007 5:17 PM >
| | | | Well why the heck is the economy so bad around there?
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eoghan
Location: dormont pa
Gender: Male
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 7 on 6/11/2007 5:47 PM >
| | | | it's in WV, which is, by and large, a national economic backwater. many of the states industries didn't survive through the 20th century and new development is pretty rare.
i'm originally from wheeling, and that end of the state had a little better economic outlook and i had to move to pittsburgh to find any opportunity. BTW there is a pretty good sized WV expatriate community here.
eoghan
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats... -H.L. Mencken
dude, if you ever shoot me with a .25, and i find out about it, i'll kick yer ass! |
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90rock
Location: Calgary
Gender: Male
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 8 on 6/12/2007 3:13 PM >
| | | | Industries like....
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imprezawrxsti
Location: Portland, OR
Gender: Male
nothing is true; everything is permitted
| | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 9 on 6/12/2007 5:29 PM >
| | | | Posted by 90rock
Industries like....
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Coal.
And gigantic lunatic asylums.
[last edit 6/12/2007 5:31 PM by imprezawrxsti - edited 1 times]
do you know how to waltz? |
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xtacyturbo
Location: Pittsburgh
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 10 on 6/12/2007 9:29 PM >
| | | | Glass would be another one. There's remains of glass factories all over the place here.
Basically... pick an industry that provides lots and lots of jobs, and it's pulled out of WV. It's gotten pretty dismal around here. I'm preparing to leave now, as I don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of finding a good job here utilizing my master's degree.
My photos of stuff: www.skuhnphoto.com |
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90rock
Location: Calgary
Gender: Male
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 11 on 6/13/2007 1:42 AM >
| | | | well move to Pittsburgh or something, but anyways... what other places in your neck of the woods have you found that haven;t been torn down yet?
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Turd Furgusen
Location: Charleston, WV
Gender: Male
I think marijuana is just nature's way of saying high!
| | | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 12 on 6/14/2007 4:47 AM >
| | | | I'm sure the old farm will become a development. As for the hospital, I'd bet that they pull down about everything but the Kirk. It will probably just sit around for a while longer while they still decide what to do with it. It might be something lame, but I doubt they'll just pull the Kirk. down.
My 2 cents.
Everyone has a dark side, mines just a little more illuminated. |
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don_corleyone
Location: F/RoX
Gender: Male
I have abandonment issues
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 13 on 6/14/2007 6:34 PM >
| | | | they better put it on UE-bay. i'd bid $5.00 on it.
leave the gun. take the cannoli.
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90rock
Location: Calgary
Gender: Male
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 14 on 6/15/2007 12:06 AM >
| | | | Oh its worth a lot more. THe key to the revitalization of this region is introduction of new post-industrial economic fields and building or restoring healthcare facilities.
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don_corleyone
Location: F/RoX
Gender: Male
I have abandonment issues
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 15 on 6/15/2007 12:52 PM >
| | | | Posted by 90rock
Oh its worth a lot more. THe key to the revitalization of this region is introduction of new post-industrial economic fields and building or restoring healthcare facilities.
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sheessh. way to ruin a good joke.
leave the gun. take the cannoli.
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Devon
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 16 on 7/4/2007 12:00 AM >
|  | | | Anyone know if it's safe for one last visit?
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metersea
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 17 on 7/4/2007 6:12 AM >
| | | | Posted by Devon
Anyone know if it's safe for one last visit?
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I was under the impression that it is/was heavily guarded...
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don_corleyone
Location: F/RoX
Gender: Male
I have abandonment issues
| | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 18 on 7/6/2007 5:08 PM >
| | | | Posted by Devon
Anyone know if it's safe for one last visit?
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go to the auction on the 17th. i'm sure if you wear boots and bring a hard-hat and a flash light they'll let you check it out.
leave the gun. take the cannoli.
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Turd Furgusen
Location: Charleston, WV
Gender: Male
I think marijuana is just nature's way of saying high!
| | | | Re: Weston State Hospital to be sold
<Reply # 19 on 8/8/2007 5:56 AM >
| | | | Went to the pre-auction inspection meeting:
I arrived at the front steps of the Weston Hospital at around five till 10:00. I’d say there was about 100 people total there. My best guess is that 80-85 of them were former or current employees and just curious people wanting to look around or take photos, and about 10-15 people there were actually serious about purchasing the property. After a brief introduction (where the DHHR people stressed their main goal was to preserve the hospital), those who chose to climbed into about 4 vans and proceeded to tour the farm portion of the property which consists of appx. 308 acres.
We drove past the 3 cemeteries, which are not included in the auction, and continued up a road until we got to the former fruit grooves where there was still some apple and peach trees growing. From there we went to the rear of the property where a large water tower is located and there is a vantage point looking at the newer mental hospital, the William Sharpe Hospital.
From there we drove back to the hospital and began a building by building tour of the entire campus. First stop was the former laundry building which still contained a few old pieces of equipment.
From there we continued to the light industries building which we were told was basically storage during the later years of the hospital.
Next stop was the hospital’s mechanic shops which was the last building in operation when the hospital was closed. 
Everyone has a dark side, mines just a little more illuminated. |
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