Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Haunted West Virginia

This institution was opened for patients in 1864, while construction on the grounds continued until the 1880s. Like many similar institutions, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum struggled with overcrowding issues which impacted living conditions for patients. In 1949, reports found unsanitary conditions, insufficient heating and lighting, and it was home to the West Virginia Lobotomy project in the 1950s. In the 1980s, conditions continued to worsen, and it was reported that individuals who were deemed “uncontrollable” were locked in cages. As there were changes and movements surrounding patient care, the institution was closed in 1994, and patients moved into community homes or elsewhere. Since then, the property has been vacant apart from museum spaces within the grounds housing artifacts and some paranormal tours that occur. 

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is considered to be one of the most haunted places in West Virginia. Since the doors closed in 1994, there have been numerous sightings of paranormal activity. One commonly seen spirit is that of Lily, who was 9-year old girl who died from Pnemonia at the Asylum in the 1860s. Visitors say that you can still hear her cries and laughs to this day. Due to the opening of the Asylum during the Civil War era, there are thought to be many civil war ghosts who haunt the hallways. Additionally, there are two well known ghosts that haunt visitors to the Asylum. The first is Jesse, who died from a heart attack while in the bathtub. Another is Jim James, who supposedly likes cigarettes, and will turn on a lighter if it is placed in the center of the room he is said to inhabit. There is also a patient who was murdered by his roommates who is said to still haunt the halls.