Central State Hospital Kentucky

Central State Hospital, a 192-bed adult psychiatric hospital located in Louisville, Kentucky's Lakeland neighborhood, has a history dating back to its establishment in 1869 when the Kentucky State Legislature purchased 200 acres from the descendants of Issac Hite. Initially designated as the "State House of Reform for Juvenile Delinquents," it was later converted into the Fourth Kentucky Lunatic Asylum due to overcrowding at other state institutions. Over time, its name evolved through various iterations, including Central Kentucky Lunatic Asylum and Central Kentucky Asylum for the Insane, before being officially named Central State Hospital in 1912.

The hospital's early years were marked by challenges such as improper funding, understaffing, and overcrowding. By 1940, it housed over 2,400 patients despite being designed to accommodate 1,600. In the mid-20th century, shifting community attitudes toward mental health led to a decline in patient numbers. To address these changes, new modern facilities were constructed on LaGrange Road beginning in 1962, with an additional administration building completed in 1986. The original hospital buildings on "the North Campus" were abandoned and demolished by the late 1990s.

Central State Hospital's history also includes allegations of patient abuse and mistreatment, particularly during its early years. Over 900 death certificates indicate burials in the hospital cemeteries, though the exact number of deceased patients remains unknown. The institution has historically been managed alongside other state hospitals, such as Eastern State Hospital and Western State Hospital, under various administrative boards.