Haunted Historical Hospital

Haunted Historic Hospital
Anyone who has ever driven across the campus at the University of Alabama knows that there are many noticeably interesting buildings. Most of those people would also agree that some buildings seem to stand out more than others. One building in particular rests eerily behind New Fraternity Row on a huge plot of land that is kept separate from the rest of the campus. So what is this creepy old building and what is the story behind it?
This question puzzles many who visit the university because, unlike most of the buildings on campus, no name is clearly displayed. In addition, the property this building sits on is completely fenced in and only accessible through a gated entrance and a long driveway.
What many people don’t know is that this building holds a very important historical significance. According to Bill Weaver of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, this building is known as “Bryce Hospital” and is the oldest mental health institution in the state of Alabama. The building was originally founded in 1859 and was called “The Alabama Insane Hospital”. It wasn’t until after the death of the hospital’s first superintendant, Peter Bryce, that the name was changed in order to honor him. The idea for this hospital came about after a woman by the name of Dorthea Dix urged the state of Alabama to provide professional medical care for the mentally ill. In 1852 the state passed a law that led to the hospital’s creation. Dix even helped to bring in the first superintendent, Peter Bryce, a physician from South Carolina. While heading up the hospital’s services, Dr. Bryce worked to create an atmosphere in which the patients were treated morally and as normal human beings. Patients capable of working were given chores within the hospital. Apart from Dr. Bryce’s belief that this would help the patients to assume a normal life, it also helped address the issue of low funding for the hospital. This approach to patient treatment was used until 1972, when a federal court case known as Wyatt v. Stickney led to more freedom for mentally ill patients (Weaver).
Despite the hospital’s historical background, one of the most interesting things about Bryce is that many believe that it is one of the most haunted locations in the state of Alabama. For example, according to “Haunted Places in Alabama”, the hospital reportedly has ghosts of departed patients and cold spots throughout the hallways (Haunted Places in Alabama). In the words of Lauren Stover, as recent as forty years ago, horrible procedures, such as lobotomies, were performed inside the asylum. Stover also claims that there have been reports of murders and even séances performed successfully within the hospital’s walls (Planet Weekly). In addition, Jim Swain, the Instructor of Staff Development at Bryce who has worked there for over twenty years, claims to have heard voices while on duty. He has even spoken with other employees who claim to have heard footsteps when there was nobody around (Swain 2009).
According to Dana Beyerle of the Montgomery Bureau, the hospital is currently still in service but the University of Alabama has recently attempted to purchase the hospital and its 188-acre property for $43 million. If the sale goes through, the historic buildings on the campus will be preserved and detailed plans for a new campus will be created (Beyerle).
Hopefully now, as people drive behind New Fraternity Row and pass the white pillars that stand like two soldiers guarding the hospital’s entrance, they will look at Bryce Hospital with reverence for its historical significance. And maybe if they are lucky, those passing might even catch a glimpse of one of the ghosts that supposedly haunt the grounds.

Works Cited
Beyerle, Dana. “Riley wants Bryce sale final within two years”. Tuscaloosa News. 4 Feb. 2009. 31 Aug.
2009.
The Shadowlands. “Haunted Places In Alabama”. 1998. 31 Aug. 2009.

Stover, Lauren. Planet Weekly. “Paranormal Research- Old Bryce Hospital”. 23 Oct. 2008. 1 Sep. 2009.

Swain, Jim. Personal interview. 2 Sep. 2009.
Weaver, Bill. Encyclopedia of Alabama. “Bryce Hospital(Alabama Insane Hospital)”. 5 Jun. 2009. 31 Aug.
2009.