Chestnut Lodge Asylum
“Chestnut Lodge is an abandoned insane asylum smack in the heart of Rockville (Montgomery county, 20 miles northwest of Washington, DC; home to highest concentration of Ph.D.’s in the country). It was internationally known (google for “chestnut lodge”), hard wired into the psych community after nearly a century of treating many long-term, profoundly disturbed psych patients and mute, catatonic and “hopeless schizophrenics.” Briefly a resort hotel, it became the quintessential psychiatric sanitarium. A young neighbor noted it feels like Hannibal Lechter could be there.
Closed in 2001, its 20+ acres and 20+ buildings (several of which are historic) still seem eerily fresh, frozen, timeless. We’ve gathered lots of information (resurrecting the original website), including maps, photos, and stories. Cracked CIA agents were treated, and edgy pharmacological studies were reportedly conducted there. Famous families often committed nutty relatives against their will. Several books have been written about Chestnut Lodge, a peerlessly intense facility that still chills and rivets attention with, well, an insanely creepy history and presence.”
You have to admit… it doesn’t get any creepier than this and as I promised to find you the most bizarre “hauntings” I can find for Halloween, I thought that you might want to check this place out. It still gives the locals the creeps!
Some creepy history of the asylum…
Tags: Chestnut-Lodge-Asylum, haunted, insame-asylumsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Famous Homes, Haunted Places, Southern Byways, Things to See in Maryland
5 opinions for Chestnut Lodge Asylum
nicole
Feb 2, 2007 at 2:46 pm
i use to live in the grouphomes owned by chesnut lodge and i and a staff member saw the same spirit of a young girl in a nightgown but we saw that girl in two different spots of the grounds my staff saw her in one of the grouphomes on campus and i saw her walking in the grass. i garentee that that place is huanted by over medicated spirits who seek the truth that not everyone in that hospital belonged there, but that their parents just did not want to help in anyway to take care of them. some i know were younger than 12
Shawn Orr
Aug 23, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I have looked over your web site concerning the Chestnut Lodge and Asylum and have found the site very interesting.
I did however, become a bit deflated when I found the comment at the top of the page from the developer. Was it necessary, for this non - existant individual, there was no name or e mail address placed at the end of the warning, to be so rude and blunt. I was taught that if one needs to threaten another individual of group with legal action that they really do not have the power they promise to use…. Shame on you whom ever you may be! a simple warning would be more than enough!!!
E White
Apr 9, 2008 at 12:10 pm
This site would not have the morbid attraction if those seeking an adrenalin rush had a close and precious family member suffering with a profound mental illness.
mawa
Jul 3, 2008 at 1:04 pm
What is all this garage??!! All these horror stories, and screams piercing the night from helpless, tortured patients???!!!! I was treated there 2 years. I NEVER witnessed nor experienced abuse. The staff was largely kind, though, like the patients given to stress and moods. No more than you’d find in any work setting. Please stop this pandering of mistruth. It’s rubbish and serves no good purpose. And I was not abandoned by a rich mommy and daddy. CL helped me make a turning point toward a healthy, fulfilling life.
D
Sep 10, 2008 at 12:01 am
Actually it took me years to recover from the psychiatric abuse I suffered at this place when I was twelve. There are decent treatment centers out there and this may have been one at some point but it was pretty horrific when I was there. The place was just scary to be in. It really feels as dark and cold on the inside as it does outside. The staff members were irresponsible. I’m a history major and as much as I hate to say this…I hope they bulldoze every bit of this place to the ground. I’m sure there are a lot of people who share this sentiment and I’m just glad I’ve had the strength to help myself become a productive adult. CL definitely didn’t contribute to that.
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