Good morning. Still under the weather here… a little sniffly and a little sneezy (that sounds like two dwarfs!) still, but moving forward. That said, it did not stop me from putting a baseball cap on my head, throwing on tennis shoes and a sweatshirt over my t shirt and sleep pants and taking a drive down the road to capture some pictures this morning for Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot.
Just down the road from where I live is The old Brainerd State Hospital. Once a flourishing environment of 22 large buildings and many State jobs, the hospital opened in 1958 and was able to house as many as 1,500 patients. In fact, in 1981, my first job was there, I worked in building 16 one summer as an activity assistant. I wasn’t old enough to drive then, but I road my bike to and from, Monday through Friday. Being a state job, it was the best pay scale I had for many years to come.
As Health Treatment philosophy changed in the later 1980’s the patient load declined rapidly until as of the last few years, the only buildings being used are 20,21, and 22. Last month they began to demo the other buildings.
I have lived in this home for the most part, since I was 3 years old. The State Hospital, besides a job – holds many memories for me. My cousins and I used to ride our bikes through the roadways within the property from the ages of 8 to 14.
This morning… I grabbed up my camera and took these pictures:
It is the end of an era.
Today I plan to lay low and recover. I have a book to read this morning, and a few of us from my book club are going to go to the afternoon showing of One For The Money, based off the book by Janet Evanovich.
Book Journey 
My Deacon Roger and my neighbor Ruth worked there for many, many, years. I remember many times going there to pick her up. It’s sad to see all those big old buildings go. It’s too bad they didn’t sell them years ago before they were so rundown.
I think so too Angie. It is so dreary to drive by now… I wish they could have thought of something better…
My mother-in-law worked at a local state hospital for several years and my husband spent a summer there, working on the grounds crew. We ran a 5k there last year. Philosophies have certainly changed in the mental health industry. I’m sure this is bittersweet for you, Sheila. Enjoy the movie. Think I’ll wait until it comes to DVD, but it does look funny.
Our book club has a bucket list Kay and one of the things on it is to do more movies from books together… I haven’t been out much the last few days other than work with this awful cold thing but I think this will be a nice change of atmosphere… and with friends! 😀
How sad that the buildings are in such disrepair. That makes the abandoned sanitarium outside of Berlin (in last week’s snapshot) look really good.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m going to see One for the Money today, too.
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT – and here’s
MY WEBSITE
We will have to compare movie thoughts Laurel – enjoy!
Ahhhh….those great memories of our youth. Don’t you hate to see things change? It’s inevitable, I guess, but sure make you reflect doesn’t it?
Have a good day.
I do Debbie…. I really do. 😦
It’s always bittersweet to see the landscape of our memories change. I think it’s especially noticeable in a small town (I grew up in one too).
Tweet after the movie and let us know what you think!!! I’m thinking of going but not this weekend. Have a great time with your friends!
Thanks Mary – there are a few great movies coming out this year and I want to be more pro active about getting people together and going. Usually I want to see a movie, think about it… never wind up going… and eventually see the DVD alone as my hubby falls asleep during movies.
Things change so quickly. Only 50 years and the buildings are already obsolete and coming down. They look sad standing there half demolished.
I have the exact same movie problem. I never get to the theater and end up watching the DVD while hubby sleeps.
Right! Its hard to see it now when I knew it when….
It is sad to see places from our youth demolished and changed. Our state hospital wasn’t so nice – it was the filming location for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (it was also the setting/inspiration for the novel). It had a well-deserved poor reputation, and it was finally condemned and renovated in the past few years.
I hope that you get lots of time to relax and recuperate today!
Thanks Alyce – right now I am trying to feel well enough to go to the movie….
It always makes me sad when they tear down old buildings and then replace them with ones with no character. Hope you’re feeling much better and enjoy that movie!
Thanks Darlene – I am taking medicine and looking forward to a little popcorn and laughter… that will make my day 🙂
Saw One For the Money last night. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.
Home from it now Stacy – I liked it and will probably write a review 😀
Ohh that building doesn’t look like it’s in very good shape! Have fun at the movies this afternoon.
Thanks Trish…. hope to 🙂
Wow. It’s sad the old buildings have to come down. Those are great shots, though. Have fun at the movies! 🙂
I was hoping to get closer Christine but they have fences up not they have begun the demolition….
There have definitely been changes in our country’s healthcare philosophy. Sad to see those buildings go when there are so many people who need care.
My photo this week is also an abandoned building…in my yard!
I agree Lisa, there is still such a need but the expense of the buildings apparently took over….
I will have yo look at your snapshot!
It was sad when they closed all of those State Hospitals in the 1980’s. To me there were pros and cons to doing this. Hope you feel better soon Sheila.
I think so too Diane. I hope to feel 100% real soon…. I want to get back into the flow of life 😀
I look forward to your thoughts on One For the Money! A lady I work with absolutely loves those novels!
I think I liked the movie more than I liked the book Shirley 😀 I will write a review for it 😀
Nice photos of the demo.
Thanks Marie 😉
Looks like some dramatic changes going on there. Hope you feel better soon. At least you have books and a fun movie to get you through. Here’s Mine
I hope to be 100% soon Paulita – I want to get back to working out tomorrow.
Sniffly was the 8th dwarf. He didn’t want to work in the mines and thought Hi Ho, Hi Ho was a dumb song, so he moved to California and got a job in the movie industry. He’s in The Wizard of Oz as a Munchkin. 😀
LOL Barbara! I think I remember him…. he was in the background with a sign on his back “California or Bust!!!”
😛