In 1852 the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum opened its doors. Built on land overlooking the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the asylum served its intended purpose for fifty years, before patients were moved to the new Parkside Lunatic Asylum. Do any of the past patients still call the location home?
The Colonial Public Lunatic Asylum.
The original Lunatic Asylum. In 1836, South Australia was officially settled as a freely planned british settlement (rather than a convict settlement). It was not long till the first suicides, born from lunacy, were reported.
In 1839 two people suicided due to 'states of lunacy'. It was decided that those exhibiting deranged tendencies should be put into medical care and detainment for the safety of the public and themselves.
Soon after the Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841, lunatics would be segregated within its walls. It was reported that in 1846 there were four male and four female patients housed within the gaol. It became readily apparent that a prison was no place for the treatment of lunatics and after a public outcry South Australia's new lunatic asylum was built in 1846. It was located on the grounds Glenside now occupies, and was a simple wooden construction made up of eight rooms and a cottage.
This place was named 'The Colonial Public Lunatic Asylum'.
In 1839 two people suicided due to 'states of lunacy'. It was decided that those exhibiting deranged tendencies should be put into medical care and detainment for the safety of the public and themselves.
Soon after the Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841, lunatics would be segregated within its walls. It was reported that in 1846 there were four male and four female patients housed within the gaol. It became readily apparent that a prison was no place for the treatment of lunatics and after a public outcry South Australia's new lunatic asylum was built in 1846. It was located on the grounds Glenside now occupies, and was a simple wooden construction made up of eight rooms and a cottage.
This place was named 'The Colonial Public Lunatic Asylum'.
Asylums and More Asylums!
Adelaide Asylum circa 1900. By 1849 this humble asylum was over capacity, and a new asylum was planned. In 1852, Adelaide Asylum opened its doors. The Adelaide Asylum was located up against the grounds of the botanic gardens, off North Terrace in Adelaide.
In 1862, this asylum too was stretched to breaking point, with more patients than it could accomodate (some having to sleep in beds in the corridoors) and in the mid 1880's construction began on the larger 'Parkside Lunatic Asylum' (Glenside hospital today).
Adelaide Asylum remained in operation until 1902, when it closed its doors to the insane and became a hospital for infectious patients. The hospital closed in 1938, and was demolished, its grounds made part of the Botanic Gardens.
Some of the structures from the days of the Adelaide Asylum still remain intact within the Botanic Gardens. The most macabre being the morgue, now in use as a tool shed, its mortuary slab as a potting bench.
In 1862, this asylum too was stretched to breaking point, with more patients than it could accomodate (some having to sleep in beds in the corridoors) and in the mid 1880's construction began on the larger 'Parkside Lunatic Asylum' (Glenside hospital today).
Adelaide Asylum remained in operation until 1902, when it closed its doors to the insane and became a hospital for infectious patients. The hospital closed in 1938, and was demolished, its grounds made part of the Botanic Gardens.
Some of the structures from the days of the Adelaide Asylum still remain intact within the Botanic Gardens. The most macabre being the morgue, now in use as a tool shed, its mortuary slab as a potting bench.
Ghosts?
Gardens of the asylum. As for ghost stories? They are really few and far between. One may expect odd goings on within the morgue/tool shed, but nothing has been reported. There has been the odd cry and scream heard within parts of the gardens, but not much more than that.
Well nothing human in origin anyway.
It is said that years ago you could see the fleeting glimpses of black and white objects skulking amongst the various bushes and shrubs. When approached they would disappear, vanishing without a trace. Some would swear they looked like the apparition of a dog. Why would a dog be haunting the gardens?
Years ago the gardens had a problem with stray dogs on the grounds. One of the grounds keepers was tasked with the job of getting rid of this problem. What he did is quite questionable indeed. He would either bait or shoot the animals, and as for the disposal of their bodies? He would just dump them under one of the bridges!
Well nothing human in origin anyway.
It is said that years ago you could see the fleeting glimpses of black and white objects skulking amongst the various bushes and shrubs. When approached they would disappear, vanishing without a trace. Some would swear they looked like the apparition of a dog. Why would a dog be haunting the gardens?
Years ago the gardens had a problem with stray dogs on the grounds. One of the grounds keepers was tasked with the job of getting rid of this problem. What he did is quite questionable indeed. He would either bait or shoot the animals, and as for the disposal of their bodies? He would just dump them under one of the bridges!
Ashley Hall 2013
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