Memoir of a NSH Patient Pt.5

I continued with the land clearing crew for some time, the plan being to clear a plot of garden near the farm or dairy buildings. After we had cleared about five acres south of the barns and not far from the old Hightower buildings which I was informed had been purchased by my father,  a man by the name of Hanson laid claim to about ten acres adjoining State property and began fencing the tract and erecting a small house on it.  I protested this action,  advising the superintendent and Mr. Major,  but I could not get a hearing,  so rather than assist in the confiscation of my father’s property,  I refused to work at land clearing and asked for other work.
End of part 5.

Memoir of a NSH Patient Pt.4

The gale was reported to be about 70 miles per hour and the temperature was about zero.  It will be difficult for you to picture this situation.   All were suddenly thrown out into the night and storm, half clothed, no place to go except the sheds,  chicken houses and the Tyler house to care for more than fifty men. In my haste I have neglected to mention our Supr. A. H. McLeish,  who superintended the work of development until the first building was almost finished.
End of part 4.

Memoir of a NSH Patient Pt.3

Few of you now here,  enjoying the comfort and luxuries of this hospital,  have any concept of the conditions as I first saw them.  We were first brought to the old Tyler house near Hanson Creek and just north of the logging railway,  where about two acres of land had been cleared and a small orchard and small fruit set. This house and another small house on the hill, where the superintendent lived,  were the only two buildings about here.
We were soon set to work clearing land on a hill,  where the dairy building now sets. Here a frame building was first constructed to serve as temporary living quarters or ward,  but intended for a future dairy barn, and was built along these lines.  Unfortunately,  shortly after this was completed,  and we were comfortably housed,  a very severe storm struck this valley on New Year’s night,  1910, and this building collapsed about 10:30 at night,  killing one man.
End of part 3.

Memoirs of a NSH Patient Pt.2

My home town was not far from a seaport;  many young men shipped out on vessels in coastal trade,  foreign or fishing. So I thought an ocean voyage to some foreign port would be most interesting.  Many of my friends had gone before me and settled in the timber belt of the United States of America,  so I decided to try to obtain work in the lumber camps.
On arrival I had little difficulty in finding plenty of hard work in the woods.  The crews of these camps were hardy, reckless group,  among whom gambling and drinking was common,  so it was easy for me to drift into the ways of the average logger and in a short time I prided myself on being as strong and tough as any of them.
I need not relate the experiences that followed,  but in due time I found that I overestimated my strength and ability.  I began drifting about until I found myself dependent and in a State Hospital.  Being unable to understand my condition I resented being confined,  rebelled and caused no end of trouble. 
I wanted to be out in the open,  where I could breathe the fresh air and build up my body and mind. This opportunity came to me in 1910, when patients were transferred from Steilacoom to clear land for a new hospital site,  and I gladly joined up with a small company of men to come to this logged off area to prepare the buildings and land for cultivation.
End of part 2.

Memiors of a NSH Patient Pt.1

Over the next while I will be posting the memoirs of a former NSH patient that appeared in the NSH News in 1936 titled – Memoirs of Eric.   Not sure if Eric ever saw freedom from parole from the hospital,  or if he lived out the rest of his life there.  It’s an interesting look into history.  I hope you enjoy…
Part one:
Ever since the hospital news has been published I have intended to contribute one or more articles pertaining to the early history of the institution.  On account of many comments I have heard about the earlier development of the hospital as a whole and a lack of facts generally shown in discussing these matters and the errors which have appeared in articles written about it. 
First of all,  perhaps I had better give you some facts about myself and how I came to know so much about the subject,  which I shall offer for publication,  for the benefit of those who may be interested in the early development of this institution.
To begin with,  I was transferred from Steilacoom to assist in clearing a tract for this hospital,  but after many experiences which led up to my confinement in a state institution. 
Where I was born is not important,  but I will state that I was one of a larger family of children; my early experience was on a farm near the seashore.  My education was limited,  as was the rule in those days; going to school during the winter and helping on the farm most of the time. 
I was perhaps of average intelligence for that community; a strong,  muscular type of young man with a yearning for experience which home surroundings could not furnish,  so I decided early in life to see some of the world and to travel in other countries.
End of part 1.

Celebration

Now that you have seen where the staff and their families lived,  it’s time to see how they lived and played.

You have read and even heard that the Northern State campus was not just a hospital but also a community.

A community that shared in sorrow,  as well as joy.  They cared for one another and learned, and that is what made them so outstanding.

When most people think of state hospitals what usually comes to mind is depression. But that is not all that there was.  Once upon a time there was a community within a community that thrived. 

Progress

Last night I discovered something very interesting.   I took this photo in September of 2013.  From  then until now I did not realize that I had some historic photographs taken over 60 years before at the same location.

I know it wasn’t of the building I was picturing,  but another just on the other side of it.   It’s fascinating to watch the hospital farm blossom in one set of photos,  than its decline in another.   Just thought you might be interested in seeing progress in action.

The Cul-De-Sac

Today I’m posting some pictures of the cul-de-sac at NSH that use to be used as married doctor and nurses quarters.  Today I believe they are used as headquarters for State agencies and the National  Guard.  (But  don’t hammer me if I’m wrong.)

These dwellings were built during the 1950s (Doc Jones reign).  As you can see they were comfortable and stylish for the time.   In this pic you also see the corner of a dinette table that came standard issue for those who did not transfer there with their personal belongings.  There is also nice cabinetry that most of us would kill for today.

Upstairs is pretty standard bedrooms.  Some of the quarters were two and three bedroom if I remember right. The floors you see were nice authentic  hardwood.   Real quality went into these places.   It’s a shame these too will soon be torn down. But here is another glimpse into the lives of those who lived and worked at Northern  State.

The Cookie Cutter Houses

Awhile back I was asked by one of you if I had any pictures of the small cottages that use to dot the NSH campus.  It took me a long time, but I  found them.  The homes were still on the campus when my dad started working there in the mid 1970s. I saw at least one that remained in 1996. If I remember correctly,  they were sold but had to be removed by the new purchasers from the campus.

They were originally built in the 1930s to house married doctors at the facility.  Back then one of the perks for working at a state hospital was that you got housing,  kind of like the military.  Not everyone received this,  but it was offered to some.  They were built in part because of the distance between the hospital and the town proper. 
I think my mother first started calling the homes ‘cookie cutters’ to us,  possibly because of some architectural style that she may have been familiar with growing up in Southern California,  but all I know is that is what she called them. 

I was in them a few times.  They were cute modest homes with a couple bedrooms.  They looked nice and comfortable,  even when I saw them when they had been abandoned for quite some time.  The kitchens were cute with that classic style from the 1940s or 1950s, when possibly some sort of a remodel was made.  The baths were much the same with lots of tile work.  They were well constructed and whoever owns them now has quite a jewel.

Some Candids at the Hospital

I don’t know when I was saving these  for,  but now is as good a time as any.
Above is photo taken by unknown.  It’s a group of people,  not sure if they are staff,  patients or visitors spending a leisurely afternoon on the grounds.  Looks like they are having a nice time.
Below is a picture taken in the main kitchen.  The heart and soul of the institution.