Traverse City State Hospital, Hall-18

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EX-Cert #1 "Where Buffalo Roam"

By: Heidi Smith & Ron Larson

The True Story Of Ron Larson & Hall-18, 1965-1971

When I was a child I was not so-called a nuisance to my parents, however back in the late 1960’s the term dyslexia had not been defined in medical history. Call it ignorance from the lack of knowledge that the world presented back then. Although, I was an average adolescent I was sent to a place where I could be “controlled. ”This begins my painful passageway to a portal back in time, that until recently I was ashamed to speak about, acknowledge, and cope with. It was a part of me, and a part of my childhood that I buried to spare myself from the agony of remembering the cold reality that occurred during my youth, and compromised my mortality immensely. I now have the courage to recall the events that so direly changed my life. I now seek to find the peace, and exalt myself from years of guilt, and shame. So begins my story… Ron Larson

I began my journey at the break of dawn. It was mid January in 1965, and I was only 12 years old. Not quite old enough to understand what was really happening, but not young enough to realize that it would change my life forever. The sun was shining upon the new fallen snow, and shimmered as its newly shed light reflected off the vast white blankets that enveloped the earth. The road was a distant blur, caused by the enormous snowdrifts , and the blizzard that still had not ceased its rage. There was a strong lake effect storm that was pounding the coast of Western Michigan, and it was relentlessly unleashing itself as I traveled to my destination. It could have been considered a sign for things to come. Even though the heater was blowing full force, the backseat was a frigid abyss that overwhelmed me. The chill in the air would not be the last time that I would feel the bitter cold. It created an eerie sense in me that I still cannot forget. The compass in the car indicated that we were traveling north, and I could tell that my life would now involve this rigid climate. As I was gazing out the window to my left I saw a lone buffalo, standing in the field, covered with snow. It was then that my heart stopped, and I realized that it would be a long time before I ventured this way again, where buffalo roam.

Why "Where Buffalo Roam"

I am an experienced freelance writer, and I have always written about things that intrigue me. Recently I was doing some research for an article about ghosts that inhabit asylums. It has posed quite a bit of controversy for many state hospitals across the nation, because there are so many claims that these places are haunted. I was doing research on a particular asylum that is in Traverse City, Michigan. I lived there for about 10 years, and worked near the state hospital’s grounds. Every time that I walked around this facilities perimeter, I could only feel the gloom, and the uncertainty of what really happened there. I think the dismal, dark feeling that overwhelms you when you are there is why most people make the assumption that it is indeed haunted.

I was fortunate to stumble upon the Kirkbride buildings website http://www.kirkbridebuildings.com/ . It immediately directed me to the Hall-18, and I began to read the postings that were actual events of people who were forced in the youth of their life to live in solitude at this questionable establishment. This became the most interesting topic to read about, and voided out my commitment towards writing an article about haunting. Instead, I sought out to confirm my belief that this hospital resulted in many compromised lives, and that it was not a pleasant place to be. There was one individual that had greatly contributed to informing the many interested people that this site attracted, and who tweaked my mischievous need to know more. I spent the entire day consumed in front of my computer reading his excerpts about his life in this state hospital. It surprised me that he could remember positive things about it as well as negative. My curiosity sparked resolve of the speculation that I had always endeavored about this hospital, and then I recognized the need to spread the word to a broader public to allow them to gain the knowledge, and perspective that was necessary to cure their skepticism.

The man who had wrote most of the blogs in this forum was named Ron Larson, and as I read his triumphs, and accounts of living in this gruesome place I began a new conquest. To reach the audiences who remained ignorant, but yet interested in reading about a person’s actual version of what happened to them when they stayed there. This began my project of assisting Ron Larson in sharing his story with the world, and explaining the factual experiences of living in a state asylum. I also set out to be the mediator that would give Ron the much-needed resolve of dealing with his past, and moving forward from it. I contacted Ron, and we agreed that we would produce his story, where buffalo roam, for his peace of mind, and to educate others who seek for answers.

Ron, and I’s collaboration on this book is certainly a breakthrough for those who inquire about the Traverse State Hospital. Many residents in Traverse City have their notions, about what happened there, but do not attempt to accept the cold truth. It has remained a mystery, until now that has never been solved. With these great efforts to unlock the tragedy of this hospital, it is certain that the people who have been kept in the dark for so long will finally know the truth. We have high hopes that this book will educate, inform, and dissolve any fallacies that have been represented. Our mission is to supply others with a great reference to enjoy while learning about what life inside an asylum is like, from a firsthand view. All that we can hope for is that it will be immensely mesmerizing, and exceed our faithful audience’s expectations. Stay tuned…

Heidi Smith

This Page Created August 17, 2009