Peek into the past, and you might just find the supernatural staring back. That’s certainly the case at Peoria State Hospital, one of Illinois’ most haunted and historically rich locations. Tucked away in Bartonville, just outside of Peoria, this sprawling complex once served as a progressive mental health institution. Today, it draws ghost hunters, history buffs, and thrill-seekers alike, all eager to uncover its eerie secrets. Whether you’re drawn by its compassionate legacy or the chilling legends whispered through its abandoned halls, Peoria State Hospital is a ghostly gem well worth exploring.
The History
Founded with a Vision
Established in 1895 under the name “Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane,” Peoria State Hospital started with an unusually progressive vision for its time. Led by its first superintendent, Dr. George Zeller, the institution quickly distanced itself from the harsh treatments that plagued other facilities of the era. Zeller believed in the therapeutic power of dignity, fresh air, and meaningful labor. Instead of restraints and padded cells, patients were treated with humanity, and many were assigned jobs around the grounds that gave their lives purpose and structure.
By 1902, the asylum officially opened its doors, and very soon, it became one of the most forward-thinking psychiatric hospitals in the United States. Dr. Zeller’s open-door policy—literally and metaphorically—set the tone for a facility that believed its patients deserved respect, not punishment. Patients could walk freely across the campus, and high recovery rates were frequently reported under his leadership.
A Self-Sustaining Community
At its peak, the hospital spanned over 280 acres and housed more than 60 buildings, including patient housing, administration buildings, a bakery, power plant, laundry, and even a cemetery. The grounds operated like a small town, with many patients working the fields, caring for livestock, and contributing to daily operations. This therapeutic model was especially advanced in an era when institutional mistreatment was tragically common elsewhere.
Peoria State Hospital was home to more than 4,000 patients at a time during its busiest years. Over its nearly 70 years of service, tens of thousands of men, women, and children passed through its doors seeking treatment and hope. However, despite its noble ideals, the institution wasn’t immune to the growing pains, medical limitations, and budget cuts that afflicted state-run mental health facilities nationwide.
Decline and Closure
By the 1960s, new medications and changing societal attitudes shifted the focus of mental health treatment toward deinstitutionalization. Large facilities like Peoria State Hospital were increasingly seen as outdated. The hospital struggled to maintain funding, and operations slowly wound down over the next two decades. In 1973, after multiple name changes, the facility officially shuttered its doors under the final name—Zeller Mental Health Center, in honor of its trailblazing founder.
Since then, time has not been kind to many of the buildings. Vandalism, weather, and urban decay set in, though recent efforts by preservation groups have worked diligently to protect key structures. Today, some of the buildings remain intact and are used for guided tours, while others stand as silent sentinels of a bygone era.
The Haunt
The Legend of Old Book
Perhaps the most well-known ghostly tale from Peoria State Hospital revolves around a man named Manuel A. Bookbinder, affectionately called “Old Book.” Bookbinder was a mute patient who worked as a gravedigger on hospital grounds. Known and beloved by both staff and fellow patients, Old Book took his job seriously and was present at nearly every funeral, often weeping openly at the loss of each soul.
After his death, Old Book’s funeral was held on a rainy day, and numerous witnesses—patients, nurses, and doctors alike—reported seeing him standing next to his own casket, weeping. When they opened the casket in astonishment, his body was still there. This incident was reportedly seen by dozens, including Dr. Zeller himself, and was documented in his personal journals. The ghost of Old Book is said to still linger near the hospital cemetery, eternally mourning the forgotten souls he once helped bury.
Sightings in the Bowen Building
The Bowen Building, originally used for staff housing and medical procedures, now serves as the epicenter of the hospital’s paranormal activity. Paranormal investigators report cold spots, shadow figures, and whispering voices. Equipment malfunctions are common, and some have captured strange EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena).
Visitors frequently feel watched or hear footsteps echo down empty halls. In one particularly chilling account, a visiting group’s flashlight was wrenched from someone’s hand and thrown across the room. Investigators claim the entity in the Bowen Building is intelligent—and possibly protective of its territory.
The Ghosts of the Tuberculosis Ward
The tuberculosis ward, separate from the main compound, is another hotspot for strange occurrences. People often report an overwhelming sense of sadness and heaviness when entering this building. It’s believed that the pain and suffering of the patients who once filled its beds has left a psychic residue, a spiritual imprint often detected by mediums and empaths visiting the grounds. Flickering lights, unexplained coughing sounds, and sightings of ghostly nurses have all been documented here.
The Forgotten Cemetery
The hospital’s cemetery holds over 4,000 graves, many marked only by small numbered stones. Some believe these unmarked graves have led to restless spirits wandering the grounds. Strange mists, unexplained lights, and disembodied voices are frequently reported in the cemetery, especially around dusk. Ghost hunting teams have recorded chilling EVP sessions here, capturing what many claim are the voices of forgotten patients who still yearn to be remembered.
Modern-Day Investigations
Peoria State Hospital continues to be a hotbed for paranormal investigation. Several well-known groups, including TAPS (from the show Ghost Hunters), have explored the premises, documenting unexplained events and sharing compelling evidence of the supernatural.
Today, the Bowen Building and surrounding grounds are accessible through scheduled tours and overnight investigations organized by the Save the Bowen Foundation. If you’re serious about your ghost hunting, this is a prime location to test your mettle—and your equipment.
Why You Should Visit
If you’re a fan of ghost stories, forgotten history, or real paranormal investigation, Peoria State Hospital checks every box. Its layered past offers a haunting glimpse into humanity’s evolving approach to mental health, while its ghost lore promises the kind of spine-chilling encounters rarely found elsewhere.
Unlike many other haunted locations, Peoria State Hospital isn’t just scary—it’s historically significant. The compassion of Dr. Zeller, the therapeutic community built around suffering patients, and the legendary ghost of Old Book combine to create a setting that is equally educational and eerie.
Whether you’re a history buff fascinated by turn-of-the-century medicine or a paranormal investigator searching for a next-level experience, Peoria State Hospital offers a unique blend of both worlds. Just remember to bring your camera, your EVP recorder—and your courage.
Ready to explore Peoria State Hospital? Book a tour, gather your crew, and prepare for a deep dive into the past and possibly the spirit world. Illinois is full of haunted history, but few places weave together compassion, legend, and the supernatural like Peoria State.