WESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is believed to be one of the most haunted places in the world. The historic structure housed patients from 1864 to 1994. The building was constructed to originally hold 250 people but had an astounding number of 2,400 patients at one time in the 1950s.
Changes in treatment protocols for mental illnesses and physical deterioration of the building led to the closure of the facility in 1994.
The Asylum gains most of its publicity from what went on inside the building, but what many do not realize is that the building holds a record for its size and architecture.
The hand-cut stone masonry building designed by architect Richard Andrews is currently the largest in North America and second in the world, next to the Kremlin in Russia.
The thirty-inch thick walls were built using sandstone from nearby Harrison County, West Virginia.
The historic building still stands today. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1990, and tours are offered throughout most of the year both day and night. Those brave enough could also stay overnight on certain occasions. The seasonal Asylum haunted house also takes place around every Halloween.
To learn more about the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, please click here.