The Ghosts of Peoria State Hospital: Echoes from the Asylum



In Bartonville, Illinois, a place once known for its compassion in mental health care has become infamous for its chilling paranormal legacy. The Peoria State Hospital, originally named the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane, was founded in 1902 and served as a mental health facility until its closure in 1973.

Unlike many asylums of the era, Peoria State Hospital was noted for its progressive and humane treatment of patients. But despite its kinder methods, its legacy has become deeply entwined with tales of restless spirits, ghostly cries, and inexplicable phenomena that continue to draw paranormal investigators, ghost hunters, and thrill-seekers to this day.

A History of Healing… and Hauntings

At its peak, the hospital housed over 2,000 patients across a sprawling campus of more than 60 buildings. Under the direction of Dr. George Zeller, the hospital implemented groundbreaking techniques, including a focus on moral therapy and compassion a stark contrast to the brutality seen in other institutions of the time.

But despite its good intentions, tragedy was inevitable. Many patients died within its walls, some forgotten, others mentally lost, and a few never even identified. Hundreds were buried on-site in the hospital’s cemeteries, their graves marked only with numbers. Over time, stories began to emerge of spirits who never truly left.

The Crying Ghost of "Old Book"

The most famous spirit said to haunt Peoria State Hospital is that of a patient affectionately known as "Old Book." His real name was A. Bookbinder, and he was a mute who worked as a gravedigger for the hospital for many years.

Despite his inability to speak, Old Book was beloved by patients and staff alike. He was known to openly weep at every burial, mourning as though he could feel each soul’s sorrow. When he died, it was said that his funeral was attended by hundreds including Dr. Zeller himself. It was at his own burial that the first haunting was reported.

According to Dr. Zeller and numerous witnesses, as Old Book’s body was being lowered into the grave, sobbing erupted from a nearby elm tree. The tree itself seemed to tremble, as if in mourning. Everyone present claimed they could hear Book’s unmistakable cries despite him being dead. After that day, the weeping elm tree near the cemetery became a fixture of local legend. And even after the tree was cut down in the 1960s, the cries are said to persist especially on quiet, moonlit nights.

The Bowen Building: Epicenter of Activity

If there’s a heart of the haunting at Peoria State Hospital, it’s the Bowen Building—a former nurse’s dormitory and administrative facility. The building has become notorious for ghostly apparitions, flickering lights, shadow figures, and full-body apparitions that have been caught on camera.

Visitors report feeling cold spots, sudden waves of sadness, or even being touched by unseen hands. The attic and basement are considered the most active areas, with many refusing to enter them alone. EVPs captured within the Bowen Building have included voices saying, “Help me,” “Get out,” and even names unknown to investigators.

Other Hauntings Across the Grounds

With over 60 buildings once standing, spirits seem to linger in every corner of the property. Disembodied screams, the sound of footsteps in empty hallways, doors slamming on their own, and ghostly figures in white gowns have all been reported. The cemetery, especially near unmarked graves, is also said to be haunted. Many visitors report overwhelming sadness, sudden dizziness, or the strange compulsion to speak aloud as if something unseen is listening.

Peoria State Hospital Today

Though many of the original buildings have been demolished or are in disrepair, parts of the hospital grounds, including the Bowen Building, are still standing and open for tours and overnight paranormal investigations. The site has been featured on numerous paranormal TV shows and is considered one of the most haunted locations in the Midwest.

But unlike other asylums, the hauntings at Peoria State Hospital aren’t just terrifying, they’re deeply human. The spirits here aren’t monsters. They were patients, caregivers, and forgotten souls seeking connection, comfort… and maybe a little peace.

Final Thoughts

Peoria State Hospital is a place where compassion and sorrow lived side by side. And in the silence of its abandoned halls, something still lingers. Whether it’s the ghost of a grieving gravedigger, whispers from lost minds, or echoes of kindness that refused to fade, the past is still very much alive. Would you walk its halls after dark?