Underrated Ghost Stories And Mythical Creatures All Over The World: One Hundred And Sixtieth Stop – Norwich, Connecticut

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Underrated Ghost Stories And Mythical Creatures All Over The World: One Hundred And Sixtieth Stop – Norwich, Connecticut

Norwich is a city in New London County, Connecticut. It is known for the area where three rivers meet before it flows out to the Thames River. There are a lot of places to visit in Norwich, Connecticut like the Slater Memorial Museum, the Gardner Lake, the Leffingwell House Museum, Yantic Falls, Mohegan Park, and many more.

A photo showing downtown Norwich, Connecticut. (Link: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/389209592770745871/)

Another place that people visit in Norwich is the Norwich State Hospital. It is reportedly known for its many paranormal activities and ghosts. Are you ready to read all about them?

An undated photo of the Norwich State Hospital. (https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2Fe9%2F7b%2Fae%2Fe97baeb25c0c00b167e294b12c65c8a4.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F259097784783763410%2F&tbnid=V-JXJX7zQRs-LM&vet=12ahUKEwjzzoqwj6_wAhVNYJQKHSnlAKoQMygEegUIARC3AQ..i&docid=66d4NapO60zTkM&w=600&h=400&q=norwich%20state%20hospital%20connecticut&ved=2ahUKEwjzzoqwj6_wAhVNYJQKHSnlAKoQMygEegUIARC3AQ)

The History Of Norwich State Hospital

The Norwich State Hospital was originally referred to as Norwich State Hospital for the Insane. It was established in the 1900s and it officially opened its doors to the public in October 1904. It was in operation until October 10, 1996. The remaining patients under their care were transferred to Connecticut Valley Hospital.

During the years it was in operation, it catered to geriatric and chemically dependent patients. Briefly, it service tubercular patients from the years 1931 through 1939.

A photo of some of the patients and nurses at the Norwich State Hospital. (Link: https://www.norwichbulletin.com/article/20111009/NEWS/310099947)

Initially, there was only one building that could house 95 patients. A year later, they added two more buildings and had around 150 patients. Two more years after that, a third patient building was opened and in the next years, it grew to 20 more buildings in the area. It included a laboratory, an employee’s club, a main kitchen, a barn, two garages, a paint ship, and a greenhouse. It was a self-sufficient establishment.

An aerial shot showing the many buildings on the grounds where Norwich State Hospital was erected. (Link: https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-norwich-state-hospital-pictures-photogallery.html)

During the 1970s, of the 20 original buildings in the area, only 7 were being used. The others were used for storage, while some were already abandoned.

One of the abandoned buildings at the Norwich State Hospital. (Link: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/norwich-state-hospital)

Deaths And Issues At The Norwich State Hospital

It is believed that the ghosts and the spirits that haunt the grounds of the Norwich State Hospital remain to the patients who were tortured in the facility. Others also believe that some of them were the former employees who died at the hospital.

The hallways at the Norwich State Hospital. (Link: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/norwich-state-hospital)

The first ever recorded death took place in 1914. Accordingly, one patient hanged himself. In 1919, a hot water heater explosion killed two employees. Later, another employee died after trying to cross the road outside the hospital. A nurse also killed herself in her home. As for the patients, many of them died during their stay at the hospital or while undergoing treatment. The details about their deaths remain unclear. The patients who were released from Norwich State Hospital also died shortly thereafter and most of them perished in a tragic or violent way.

A photo showing a ward that had multiple beds at the Norwich State Hospital. (Link: https://opacity.us/image7304_crowded_ward.htm)

The Norwich State Hospital also became the center of reports that the staff was inflicting cruelties to the patients. The allegations ranged from beatings, starving, sexual abuses, harsh restraints, confinements that took place for too long, and more.

The Paranormal Experiences At The Norwich State Hospital

After it was closed and completely abandoned, many tried to investigate the supposed paranormal activities that take place in the area. Many reported that they saw ghostly shapes while others heard disembodied voices. When photos are captured, many orbs could also be spotted.

In 2010, Ghost Hunters visited the area. They recorded their experiences and said that they saw various shadows, creepy noises, and objects that moved on their own.

What People Saw At The Norwich State Hospital

Before the Norwich State Hospital finally closed, many nurses reported seeing children on the second floor. Some would even hear screaming coming from one of the buildings. The doors could even be heard opening on different floors even if the only door that could have such sound is located on the first floor.

Others reported that they always hear a woman who was sobbing in the hospital. Security guards, who made rounds in the hospital, have heard beeping sounds in the lobotomy rooms. Those sounds are the sounds heard when operations were being carried out in the past.

A photo of some of the medical equipment at Norwich State Hospital. (Link: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/107242034846543489/)

During hot summer days, when there isn’t a lot of air blowing, reports have also been made about sudden cold blasts gusting.

The tunnels at the Norwich State Hospital, which were used as underground passageways for the utilities and for the transport of patients, is also very active.

A photo showing the tunnels at the Norwich State Hospital. (Link: https://opacity.us/image7261_wet_asbestos.htm#!get=comments)

You cannot visit the Norwich State Hospital anymore though because as of March 2019, almost all of the remaining buildings were demolished. The tunnels, which were used by many to gain access to the buildings because of the strict security, have also been excavated.

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