The Baber Building, an imposing edifice with barred windows and sturdy brick construction, once formed an integral part of the Longview State Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Baber Building, an imposing edifice with barred windows and sturdy brick construction, once formed an integral part of the Longview State Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, the facility has since met its demise through the relentless march of time and progress. Longview’s origins can be traced back to the year 1860, when it first opened its doors near Paddock Road in Carthage, along the banks of the Miami & Erie Canal, with the noble intent of accommodating 400 individuals afflicted with mental illnesses.
However, the institution’s capacity was swiftly overwhelmed by the inexorable influx of patients, and within a mere three decades, its population had swelled to over 800, rendering the facility severely overcrowded. New wards were constructed in the 1890s to alleviate this strain, increasing the capacity to 955. Yet, this endeavor proved futile in stemming the tide of new arrivals that inundated the complex daily.
When the state of Ohio assumed control of Longview’s operations in 1927, additional buildings were erected to house another 500 patients. Nevertheless, by 1953, the hospital had reached an astonishing census of 3,568 patients, with a mere 1,831 beds available. This was compounded by a severe shortage of staff.
The advent of mind-altering drugs by the mid-1950s ushered in a new era, enabling many patients to seek medical intervention to mitigate if not entirely alleviate, their mental afflictions. Concurrently, implementing community support strategies, such as intensive case management, day hospital treatment, and residential care programs, diminished the need for vast state hospital complexes. By 1987, Longview’s resident population had dwindled to 401 individuals.
The Baber Building, also called the Administration Building, had become a superfluous structure and was no longer required due to the reduction in patient numbers. Its formidable presence barred windows, and intensive brick construction stood as a solemn reminder of Longview’s turbulent past. After years of disuse, this edifice was ultimately razed in 1978, consigning it to the annals of history.
