While the startling list of reasons for admission at transallegheny lunatic asylum may give only a glimpse of what caused the patient to be sent there, it reveals a lot about societys attitudes. The transallegheny lunatic asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is the largest handcut blue sandstone building in the western hemisphere. Transallegheny lunatic asylum miami ghost chronicles. Trans allegheny books 725 green st parkersburg wv 26101. Hotels nearby towneplace suites by marriott parkersburg. Weston state hospital got its name in 19 which was used while patients occupied it, but was changed back to its originally commissioned, unused name, the trans. The transallegheny interstate line project a 500 kv. October was more than halfway through, and i was quickly running out of daylight. She has investigated hundreds of private homes, businesses, hotels,battlefields, prisons and asylums. The building was listed on the national register of historic places in 1990. From our home base of pittsburgh comes this 1900 photo of the womens reading room in the carnegie library of allegheny. Thats part of the fun for riders who like to get their hearts pumping and dont mind breaking a sweat. The first explorations of the transallegheny region by well documented and includes the discovery of the ohio waters, the discovery of new brittaine, the discoveries of john lederer, governor berkeleys promotion of exploration, the expedition of thomas batts and robert fallam, the journeys of james needham and gabriel.
Parkersburg the former carnegie library in downtown parkersburg most recently where the trans allegheny bookstore was located is approaching its 110th birthday. Book heaventrans allegheny books southern spirit guide. A new, exclusive tour will be available on monday 0615, 0720, and 0817 the asylum will be closed to the general public on these dates to allow unrestricted access for this tour. This is in the former carnegie library building, and has a. Parkersburg, wv 26101 304 4224499 visit website get directions detailed information. Transallegheny bookstore with images parkersburg wv. Find trans allegheny books in parkersburg with address, phone number from yahoo us local. Trans allegheny books in parkersburg, wv librarything local. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. If they dont have it in stock, theyll order it for you. Run by the us government, the asylum operated from 1864 to 1994. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. We are proud of our allegheny authors and have provided a prominent area to feature these along with through all the years. We will offer additional hours for special campus events and will post those here.
Free your imagination with any of the books for sale on the shelves at trans allegheny bookss book store in parkersburg. Jun 21, 2011 a shot of the beautiful iron and brass spiral staircase within its enclosure at the trans allegheny bookstore. The transallegheny lunatic asylum, subsequently the weston state hospital, was a kirkbride psychiatric hospital that was operated from 1864 until 1994 by the government of the u. Trans allegheny trails, railtrails, bike trails, in. This national historic landmark served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill beginning in the mid1800s. Here in the heart of pennsylvanias allegheny mountains, the trans allegheny trails are a system of railtrails with attitude.
The transallegheny lunatic asylum in weston, west virginia opened its doors to patients in 1864. Most of the early work was done by prison labor, although the final stonework was completed by skilled stone masons brought in from europe. Construction on the transallegheny lunatic asylum begun in 1858 and was completed in 1881. Transallegheny lunatic asylum, previously known as the weston state hospital, or the west virginia hospital for the insane would be intimidating even without the ghosts. A twostory former library, the building was crammed with some 500,000 volumes of used books with particular concentration on books relating to west virginia and appalachia. She is a columnist and instructs classes on the paranormal.
West virginia report books detailing laws passed in west virginia and the rationale behind them. This is in the former carnegie library building, and has a great spiral staircase and glass floors among the stacks. The rear of the building also has glass floors and a stainedglass window. The shockingly disturbing story of the transallegheny. Shop community college of allegheny county apparel, textbooks, merchandise and gifts at the bookstore. This book is my own meager attempt to outline some of the asylums darker history. Parkersburg, west virginias old carnegie library served for many years as a popular bookstore. Books will be randomly chosen and shipped media mail. Transallegheny pioneers is, without a doubt, one of the most celebrated accounts of life on the virginia frontier ever written. Trans allegheny books in parkersburg offers a wide range of books so visit the store today and find one that catches your eye. The haunted history of the transallegheny lunatic asylum. Ive shopped at transalleheny books for about 15 years.
It is the largest handcut stone masonry building in north america, and is purportedly the second largest in the world, next to the kremlin. In december of 1985, it was reopened, still full of books, but now as trans allegheny books, now the largest used book store in west virginia. This haunted gothic structure was the end of the line for west virginias insane for 150 years. Renamed on november 25, 1862 and extended to the border of eastern kentucky. My favorite bookstore has been closed for a decade. Trans allegheny books parkersburg, wv book store in. The first explorations of the transallegheny region by. It ceased use as a library about 1975, and in december 1985, it was reopened, as trans allegheny books, which was the largest used book store in west.
Save on popular hotels near transallegheny lunatic asylum, weston. Trans allegheny books 725 green st parkersburg, wv book. Transallegheny lunatic asylum wikimedia commons the fall air was breezy and as i became fully exposed to the chilly west virginia wind, i felt an overwhelming sense of autumn nostalgia. This 160 year old asylum holds fascinating stories of civil war raids, a gold robbery, the curative effects of. Earlier this year i had the opportunity to tour around one of west virginias most haunted buildings.
Community college of allegheny county bookstore apparel. Theres a great collection of wv history books and new and used books covering many subjects. Sherri brake is a paranormal researcher, author and owns haunted heartland tours. An injunction hearing to stop the sale of the store s contents was continued until december 20th, thats according to the law office of bradley and albright. Trail builders are now working together to market and connect a mix of level and terrain trails, creating a unique. Trans allegheny books parkersburg, west virginia bookstore. Faq trans alleghenylunatic asylum we need the support of the community to keep the transallegheny lunatic asylum standing and for the extensive repair work needed to preserve her. Neurologist walter freeman, who finessed the procedure into the popularly known version involving an ice pick through the.
Located in allegheny city, now pittsburghs north side, this was the second carnegie library to be built. Trans allegheny books in parkersburg trans allegheny. Faq about tours and events occuring at the transallegheny lunatic asylum. Originally designed to service just 250 patients, overcrowding took over and poor conditions flourished. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading transallegheny lunatic asylum. Top 10 hotels closest to transallegheny lunatic asylum in. Welcome to the transallegheny lunatic asylum aka the weston state hospital located in historic weston, west virginia. Have you ever wanted to explore all of the transallegheny lunatic asylum. Transallegheny lunatic asylum and the haunting enigma of. Transallegheny lunatic asylum west virginia ghosts. Formerly known as the weston state hospital, the transallegheny lunatic asylum was built on 666 acres and was meant to serve as a sanctuary for the mentally ill when it opened in 1864. Parts of them are almost level, while other sections are downright challenging. Its monumental main structure, the largest handcut stone masonry building in north america, divides 242,000 square feet over four floors, is a staggering 1,296 ft long, and. In the 1950s, the transallegheny lunatic asylum became a primary site of lobotomies as part of the west virginia lobotomy project.
If you are traveling by car, make sure you make use of the nearby parking options during your visit. Parkersburg building nears 110th birthday news, sports. Find 1 listings related to trans allegheny bookstore in parkersburg on. However, it is more than that, for it is also the genealogical account of the draper and ingles families, who were later memorialized in the novels of laura ingles wilder little house on the prairie, etc. Department of east tennessee and west virginia wikipedia. Historical sketches of the first white settlements west of the alleghenies by john p. This building was used as the parkersburg library until january of 1976.
I have included various paranormal evidence and input from past paranormal investigators who dared to spend the night walking the dark hallways of the asylum. The bookstore proudly displays a portrait of andrew. The fate of the books in parkersburgs historic trans allegheny books will have to wait a little longer. Simmons recounts his years in the indie book trade at such charleston, west virginia landmarks as the former majors bookstore and trans allegheny books. Jan 8, 2020 these are hdr photos of the transallegheny used bookstore in parkersburg, wv. There are nine acres of wards crowded by a looming 200 foot clock tower. From family friendly trips with kid friendly activities to local plumbers lawyers, spas, and contractors. Today, the transallegheny bookstore is home to the largest used bookstore in west virginia. Transallegheny bookstore, parkersburg theresas haunted. Transallegheny bookstore, parkersburg theresas haunted history. Trans allegheny bookstore bookstore, parkersburg wv, country. The transallegheny trails system is a collection of different picturesque trails in the allegheny mountains, including trails along the main line canal greenway the 2011 rtc rail trail sojourn led to the creation of the trans allegheny trails system. Browse expedias selection of 47 hotels and places to stay closest to transallegheny lunatic asylum.
The trans allegheny bookstore was in an old building built in 1905 and had an amazing. West virginia report books transallegheny lunatic asylum. Asylum depicted the treatment patients received in places like transallegheny with a fair amount of accuracy. This is the former home of the transallegheny lunatic asylum. Transallegheny lunatic asylum, weston, west virginia. Carnegie library parkersburg, west virginia wikipedia. On september 25, extended to include the areas of southwestern virginia formerly encompassed by the department of east tennessee and forces east of knoxville. Our products west virginia report books west virginia report books. The haunted history of the trans allegheny lunatic asylum. Today the building is said to be extremely haunted. Mar 2, 2012 these are hdr photos of the transallegheny used bookstore in parkersburg, wv. Transallegheny lunatic asylum is a mental health facility turned museum that. I hope you enjoy the haunted history of the trans allegheny lunatic asylum.
Hale 1989, paperback, reprint at the best online prices at ebay. Merriman bookstore campus center services allegheny. Transallegheny lunatic asylum has been featured in a number of paranormal television shows. Transallegheny bookstore in 2020 carnegie library, hdr. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions.
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