Mississippi State Hospital

The Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) is a psychiatric facility operated by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.[1] It is located in the unincorporated community of Whitfield, Rankin County, Mississippi,[2][3] along Mississippi Highway 468.[4] The 350-acre (140 ha) campus is 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Jackson,[5] between Jackson and Brandon.[6] Historically many people referred to the center as "Whitfield," after the community in which it is located.[7]

Mississippi State Hospital
Geography
LocationWhitfield, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States
Coordinates32.242526°N 90.070705°W / 32.242526; -90.070705
Organization
TypePsychiatric hospital
History
Opened1935
Links
ListsHospitals in Mississippi

History

In 1920, the state hospital was located in Jackson and had 1,670 residents. In 1930, it had 2,649 residents.[8] In 1935, the Mississippi State Insane Asylum moved from a complex of 19th-century buildings in northern Jackson to its current location,[7] the former property of a state penal colony,[6] the Rankin Farm.[8]

MSH became overcrowded. It held people with severe mental illness, as well as people suffering from alcoholism, depression, menopause, and other ailments that have been resolved with modern medicine in later generations.[7]

In the 1930s, the facility consisted of 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) acres of farmland, including 1,500 acres (610 ha) cultivated acres. MSH was a self-sufficient facility, with its own bakery, dairy, laundry, post office, tuberculosis hospital, and water wells.[7] Hunter Cole, author of The Legs Murder Scandal, said that in the 1930s, MSH appeared "more like an estate than a prison" due to the fields, meadows, and woodlands in the area. During the time MSH had many Mount Vernon style buildings.[6] A lake was created in front of the main buildings.[7]

Before desegregation, MSH was segregated. White patients resided on the east side of the campus and African-American patients resided on the west side of the campus. Each group had its own group of facilities including chapels, dining halls, recreational facilities, and tuberculosis sanatoria. In 1935, 3,000 residents and 475 employees lived in the facility.[7]

Facilities

Children from age four to 17 years and 11 months who require acute, short-term treatment are treated at the Oak Circle Center (OCC). MSH also has the Chemical Dependency Unit (CDU) to treat people who have alcohol and/or drug addictions.[9]

The Lakeside School at MSH provides educational services.[9] The state hospital includes the Jacquith Nursing Home.[4][10] The United States Postal Service Whitfield Post Office is located on the property of MSH.[11][12] Staff housing is provided by MSH.[12]

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References
  1. "Mississippi State Hospital". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "Whitfield Campus Map." Mississippi State Hospital. Retrieved on August 10, 2010.
  3. "Driving Directions to MSH." Mississippi State Hospital. Retrieved on August 10, 2010.
  4. Brochure. Jacquith Nursing Home. Retrieved on October 31, 2010. "3550 Hwy. 468 Whitfield, MS 39193"
  5. "MSH Home." Mississippi State Hospital. Retrieved on August 10, 2010.
  6. Cole, Hunter. The Legs Murder Scandal. University Press of Mississippi. 330. Retrieved from Google Books on October 31, 2010. ISBN 1-60473-722-0, ISBN 978-1-60473-722-6
  7. Cole, Hunter. The Legs Murder Scandal. University Press of Mississippi. 331. Retrieved from Google Books on October 31, 2010. ISBN 1-60473-722-0, ISBN 978-1-60473-722-6
  8. Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940: Population. Bureau of the Census, 1941. 572. Retrieved on Google Books on August 12, 2011.
  9. "Admissions Information." Mississippi State Hospital. Retrieved on October 31, 2010.
  10. "Welcome." Jacquith Nursing Home. Retrieved on August 10, 2010.
  11. "Post Office Location - WHITFIELD." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on October 31, 2010. "Post Office Location - WHITFIELD 3550 HIGHWAY 468 W WHITFIELD, MS."
  12. "Whitfield Campus Map." Mississippi State Hospital. Retrieved on October 31, 2010.


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