Wise Up: What's Going on at Spring Grove Hospital?

This month readers sent the Owl to visit Spring Grove Hospital Center, the second oldest continually active psychiatric hospital in the United States. Initially established as “The Hospital for Seamen and Strangers” in 1794, Spring Grove Hospital center went through many permutations and locations before its final establishment in 1853 at its present location on Wade Avenue in Catonsville, MD.

At its geographic peak, in the 1920s and 30s, the center covered more than 600 acres. In addition, the facility grew to accommodate more than 3,400 patients at its height in the late 1950s.

During the first half of the 20^th century, Spring Grove was almost entirely self-sustainable, with its own powerhouse, water tower, dairy facilities and approximately 400 acres of farmland located on the present day grounds of UMBC.

Throughout this time, much of the farming and on site road construction labor was provided by the patients. In the early 60s, farming began to be phased out, and in 1965 the farmland was officially sold to the University of Maryland for construction of UMBC.

Today, Spring Grove Hospital Center occupies approximately 200 acres, including baseball fields, soccer fields, and a community garden. Thirty-six buildings on the grounds are still actively used to house staff, patients, and other state agencies.

Armed with a map of the center, the Owl conferred with administrative personnel to determine which buildings are still active on the grounds. The area contained by Spring Grove has accumulated a rich history over the last 160 years that it has existed as a neighbor to Catonsville. Interesting points include:

1. The center currently houses more than 440 residents. Greater than half of the admissions are court- committed. A limited number of residents (not court-committed) are permitted off-grounds privileges during the day.
2. There is a fantastic museum on the grounds, detailing the history of Spring Grove. Staffed by volunteers, and open on a limited basis (the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.), the museum contains an amazing amount of artifacts and documents depicting life at the Center since its inception. The volunteer staff provides a rich oral history as well, as all worked for at least 25 years on the grounds and have a real love and appreciation for the residents and staff. If you visit, ask for Ella Nora Hoerl, who grew up in a large house located on the Spring Grove farmland (present day location of UMBC). Ella Nora can tell you pretty much anything you want to know, as both of her parents were employed by Spring Grove, and Ella Nora herself retired in 2007 after 42 years of employment. In addition, 6 out of 10 of Ella Nora’s children were employed by the Center at one time or another. That’s family dedication.  For more information about the museum, please read the captions below the photos accompanying this article.
3. The grounds house the permanent site of the Baltimore County Westside Men’s Shelter. Operated by the Community Action Network and supported by the Lazarus Caucus this is a 120-person shelter that operates all year and houses men only. Admittance is provided by referral from the Baltimore County Department of Social Services.
4. The baseball field on the grounds shares some Oriole history, as it was used by the Baltimore Orioles for tryouts during the 50s. At the time, this field was considered to be the best 90 foot diamond in the area.
5. The property that has been a hot topic of debate regarding the Promenade issue comprises an approximate 29-acre parcel site on state owned land currently housing Spring Grove’s Red Brick Cottages (Building nos. 29-32 on the property map)

The property is not for sale. Currently, there is an working towards the construction of a multi-story hospital facility, with a goal of eventually housing all Spring Grove patients and staff under one roof.

Until this occurs, the feasibility of selling the land is moot (as are the Promenade plans), as the land is currently in use, housing a large number of the current Spring Grove patient population.

            And that just gets us started. Each number below refers to a building depicted on the Spring Grove Hospital Center map. Please refer to the map included with the photos accompanying this article or click on the link here.

1. Administration- offices for the main administration staff of Spring Grove.
2. Bland Bryant- office of the Health Care Quality Control Office. This is a state agency overseeing policing of all state health facilities. The agency is a tenant and pays rent for use of this building.
3. Carpenter Shop- closed.
4. Central kitchen and storeroom- provides meals for all residents.
5. Chapel- for use by residents and staff. Chaplains also visit the patient units.
6. Dayhoff- office of Spring Grove Admissions. Also provides housing for approximately 100 patients.
7. Dix- Offices of the Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA). A state agency which oversees Spring Grove.
8. Dwelling- closed.
9. Electric Sub Station- uncertain.
10. Employees’ Cafeteria- Café on the Grove, a cafeteria open to the staff and public. Also provides public catering services.
11. Employees’ Cottages- housing for employees who proved 24 hour assistance (maintenance, etc…)
12. Foster Wade- closed. A historical building that cannot be razed.
13. Garage- houses state vehicles.
14. Garrett- contains Pharmacy and the Spring Grove Alumni Museum
15. Gazebo
16. Greenhouse- demolished
17. Hamilton- closed. Parking lot houses Baltimore County Westside Men’s Shelter.
18. Hill- offices of the MHA.
19. Jamison- home to the canteen, library, beauty and barber shops, and gym. For resident use. Run by volunteers and state employees.
20. Laundry- active.
21. Lawn shop-closed.
22. Mitchell- provides transitional housing for patients preparing to resume life in the community. Houses approximately 25 residents.
23. Moylan- offices of the Rehabilitation staff for Spring Grove. Staff provide various activities such as music and art therapy to the residents within the units.
24. Noyes- a continual care unit for approximately 32 long term care patients.
25. Paint Shop- closed.
26. Preston- offices of Spring Grove telephone operations staff.
27. Powerhouse- supplies limited power to heating systems located on the grounds.
28. Red Brick Apts- employee housing for 24 hour staff, including physicians, nurses and maintenance.
29.  Buildings 29-32-. Red Brick Cottages- Patient buildings. Each cottage provides support for approximately 38 patients.

33. Red Brick Powerhouse- closed.

34. Research- offices of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC). State facility, not related to Spring Grove.

35. Rice Auditorium- entertainment space available for public rental. Also used for patient activities.

36. Smith Medical/Surgical- supports approximately 32 patients with both psychiatric and physical needs.

37. Maintenance Mall- houses all maintenance facilities including the key and carpenter shops.

38. Stone Cottage C- offices of Spring Grove staff for the purchasing, accounting, payroll, dietary and accounts receivable departments.

39. Stone Cottage D- storage.

40. Stone Cottage E- houses Spring Grove staff for the purchasing, accounting, payroll, dietary and accounts receivable departments.

41. Stone Cottage F-storage.

42. Stone Cottage G- offices of the Spring Grove IT department.

43. Sullivan- provides transitional housing for patients preparing to resume life in the community. Houses approximately 25 residents.

44. Superintendent’s House- historically provided housing for the acting Supervisor. Currently provides offices for the division directors.

45. Tawes- Spring Grove Research Unit. Houses patients who participate in studies providing forward- thinking research.

46. Tuerk- Department of Learning Resources. Provides patient education classrooms. Also provides yearly mandatory classes for staff.

47.  Vocational Rehab.- Maryland Dental office (tenant).

48. White- office of Spring Grove Admissions. Also provides housing for approximately 100 patients.