http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.n ... 38/mb.ashx

seekinghelen, I googled Eloise State Hospital and several sites came up. Here is just one. You might some of the sites for info on your loved one.

Hey everyone. Ron just posted on fb that he has had another heart attack. Hope the best for him and keep him in your thoughts. ~~~~ciao

I just stumbled upon this and started reading. I couldn't pull myself away from the computer screen. My heart goes out to everyone who's childhood was taken away by this place. I currently live in Traverse City and probably see TCHS at least 5 times a week as I'm out and about in town. I was talking with my mother this morning showing her the site and I learned that her uncle was at TCHS from she thinks the late 70's until it closed. My interest with TCHS at first was about all the ghost stories I've heard while growing up but now that I've listened to the stories of the people who were there it's taken an entirely new meaning to me. I don't think I'll be able to look at those buildings the same way next time I drive by which will be tomorrow evening. Thanks for having the courage to share your stories and always know there are people who truly do care even if you've never met them!

The Little Ones:
We had a few young kids on Hall-18, about 5-9. I use to look after one of them, Little Davie. I would make his bed and dress him every morning and made sure he was feed by getting his tray every meal. These kids were homeless, and they almost never had visitors. The clothes they wore were hospital clothes, them old 1940 styles. I was recently contacted by Davie's relatives and they wanted to know if I remembered him and how was he treated. Punishment was not given to these little ones, the most was having to sit in a chair untill they calmed down when they had an outbreak. Our school had a room setup for them but I cannot remember their teachers name.
Whenever we had an outing, I would keep an eye out for little Davie from them damm child predators, us older kids knew who they were and their arms were always lunging out for a quick feel. To this day I would rather see them (child predators) dead than let them out to do it all again. When I was 12 or so I smashed a few of them child predators in the face for trying to touch me, the attendants would just laugh.
Little Davie had no possessions, no teddy bear, no presents at Christmas other than the megar ones given to us by the local Catholic Church who use to visit on Christmas Eve to sing and hand out candy and a few presents.
In the 1960's was a time of super hero's and the TV was full of them and every night the TV was on and these little ones would sit there and think these were real. Every Saturday morning the TV had a crowd and again the little ones thought it was real. They would run with towels around their neck like they were the sons of super hero's. I use to get a big laugh from them.
I found out little Davie is still institutionalized and he still thinks he is a super hero, maybe it is the best he never realized the true world. I wonder if he would remember me, the one with a guitar.
Drugs were given to these little ones as well. Sad but true.
A life without love.

I have a facebook page setup at
http://www.facebook.com/Ronny.Larson

Amorley: I soooo understand your feelings, the samething happen to me.. After Reading Ron and Mikes stories I couldnt pull myself away and I had to take them to walk the grounds again just walk around and think about all who lived there...

**Amorely14:.."WELCOME to the forum!!"**



To be fair with everyone, here's the link to my "FaceBook" profile...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... ef=profile

Dr. House:
I am a big fan of the TV Show House, and last night I watched the 2 hour premier. I do realize there was 40+ years different in time and that the show is fiction.
Receiving, was about the same in treatment and in its looks. The little rooms with tiles a steal door with a little window was spot on. I wish they would have shown the ceiling, because on D-4 the light was recessed into the ceiling and the light switch was outside of the room and a special switch as well.
The ward Dr. House was sent to was way better, maybe equal to the new children's hospital.
Seclusion, lol padded walls and a bed, lol, I had to laugh, I had plain plaster walls and they were hard as cement, a big cage over the windows and I slept on the floor, in my under-ware.(sometimes) The average stay in seclusion was 1-2 weeks.
The Doctors were much nicer in the TV show. On hall-18 The Dr, was there 1 morning a week and if you were called to speak with him you were in trouble. At no time could I just walk into a Dr. office and talk.
I was never ask to take my drugs, I had no choice but to take them until about late 1968 when they were no longer given to me. The Dr's. in TV Show were nice, heck Dr. Thill was the meanest person on this planet. Even the staff disliked him.
One thing that was right on the money was "Everyone Had A Plan" to beat the system.
Democracy: When they all started to raise hell over the ping pong table, well this would have never happened, in real life during my time 1965-1971 and all who got into this mess would have been punished!
Group: In about 1968'ish group was tried and failed. It was held in my high school class, Mr. Cooks class. I refused and was threatened with seclusion and I still refused. Funny it was the first time nothing happened to me for refusing, I was allowed to not be there. Infact they had a rule that I had to leave the room. This group thing was short lived as I remember only about 2-3 months.
I see they still have a parole/privileges system in place. It took months to get them high enough to go out of the hall by yourself. Everything was a privilege.
I see they had an outdoor cage too, the cage on hall-18 was much smaller.

They actually designed that new set for House after the real interior of Greystone Park in NJ. You would think it would have been cheaper and easier to use the actual hospital, but the only "real" shots in the show are of the outside of the building.

Here is a video about the creation of the House set: http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=house&ep=1252977415716

ronl, in response to your comment about the The Little Ones, at least one of them had love. You gave it to him. You watched over him, feed him, dressed him. He did have someone who loved him and that was you! This has brought tears to my eyes and a lump in throat that this kindness was given to him and the others. Not by staff, by the patients. I am sure if little Davie could thank you he would. I am glad you survived yet another heart attack. I only wish the best for you and the others. I did try and find your site at facebook, but was unsucessful.

Ronl,

Thank you so much for the comparison between your experience and what was shown on House last night. I've already asked about it in two different forums. As I expected and you confirmed, the Dr.'s were shown in a much more favorable light that was probably is true. I don't doubt though however that there are Dr.'s out there that do have the compassion and care that was shown on TV. Thanks!

click image for a full-sized view
The Door:
When you first arrived to Traverse City State Hospital you went to this door.
Inside the locked door and the office was on the right side. Next to the office was a small hallway to the right of the office with 2 doors on left side. (I will get back to these 2 doors)
As you walked in, the heavy steal door locked behind you, and if you went straight forward, you came to the main hall of the admin area.
I was for a period of time given once a week therapy with Dr. Vasquez. He always took me to the second room in that small hallway I mentioned above. Inside this room was a big mirror on the wall. I noticed when I was there flashes of light from behind this mirror and when the light was just right I could see into the room 1. One time the door was opened on room 1 and inside was a desk and a movie camera setup. I could see inside room 2 real good through the mirror. I always knew I was being watched and filmed for what reason I do not know.

I also would like to thank Ron and Mike for sharing a hideous time of their life with everyone, it takes alot of courage and grace to do so. Ron, your music is genuine and enjoyed, my ex husband is a musician with a recording studio and I must say I really like your recordings. I hope these things find a way of healing for you both. I live 3hrs from the TCSH and I was drawn there on a day in August after finding it on the net. I have been back twice, and am going to be in TC this weekend for business, my daughter wants to go back next weekend. The energy around the building itself is all that Ron speaks of dark and not so pleasant, the presence of it is unreal. It is heartbreaking to think of the ignorance of the time, the unforgiven things that were conducted and the marks it has left on so many lives. Thank you again, and may you find peace along your journey.

Thank You Weezie.
*"WELCOME to the forum"*

Please keep us updated on your next visit.
I enjoy reading other peoples thoughts and opinions about the place.

I live in Traverse City in a home just 2 blocks from the SH. My home was actually built at the same time the hospital was, out of the same brick. The story is that two brothers who drove the horse drawn wagon with the bricks the hospital was built with, would throw a bunch of bricks out every trip the made and hence built two houses with these bricks. My home is a mirror image of the one accross the street from me, and although we have updated and remodeled over the years, it is a focal point for many curious people.
My father-in-law, who was Social Service Director for the hospital for many years, bought the house years ago because of it's history to the hospital.
My father worked as a painter for many years as a young man, I remember going up to visit him at work & the uneasy fascination I had with being on the grounds.
My husband was born there out of wedlock to a patient by the name of Beverly Hayhoe. His birthfather was Karl Lyons who worked a an orderly there.
My husband was adopted by Cliff Lindstrom (mentioned above - SS Director) and brought home to his new family literally at birth.
Cliff & his wife Marcie employed many patients over the years as Nannies/cooks and general labor.
In the late 60's and early 70's, some of my college friends ended up for stints at the hospital during/after bad LSD trips. We were allowed to meet them at what I'm thinking was the Canteen - it at the time seemed comical.
I walk the grounds often & am still awed & intrigued & frightened by the visual impact the property has on me.
I found this site today and am so thankful to hear some real people tell their stories. I walked up there last night & came home with this need to know more about the actual human experience history of the hospital.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
Sandi