Lakin State Hospital
Built in 1924, Lakin State Hospital was once a mental
hospital and an industrial home for "colored boys".  The
hospital closed in 1956, and the current hospital is now
located across the road.  

In September, 2004, we arrived at Lakin quite by accident.  
We were driving from Point Pleasant up Route 62 to the
TNT area when we saw the abandoned shell of a building.  
Because of the research he had done, Tom recognized it
immediately as the purportedly haunted former hospital.

Because we wouldn't be able to wait for nightfall, due to a
previous engagement, we grabbed what equipment we had
for a impromptu daylight investigation.  Three members
and one guest were present for exploration of the hospital
and several out-buildings.  

The investigation began on the first floor of the hospital.  
Broken out windows, torn mattresses, and plenty of debris
served as evidence of years of neglect and vandalism.  
There was a strange "feeling" about the place, and Heidi
made it halfway through the building when she felt sick and
had to leave.  She waited in the car for the duration of the
investigation, while the other three explored the second
and third floors, the basement, and the out-buildings.  

While on the second floor, Tom and Katie both heard a
muffled voice, although they could not understand what
was said.  They both heard it distinctly at the same time, but
believed it to be Bill in another part of the building.  After
speaking with Bill, it seemed unlikely he would have
spoken out loud when nobody was around, and even more
unlikely that they would have heard it from that far away.

Several photos were taken by all who attended, but
nothing unusual appeared on film.  We would very much
like to investigate it again, at night, and with our full range
of equipment.
The shell of Lakin State Hospital, as
seen when driving up to it.
Another view of the outside;  as you
can see from the background, it was a
perfectly spooky day.
A view of the back of the building
On the first floor, looking outside
Stairs leading down to the
basement
Okay, we couldn't resist this picture
One of the stairwells
In the basement
UPDATE:

As of late summer 2007, the former Lakin
State Hospital is no more.  After years of
talk, the government finally demolished all
of the buildings on the property.  Driving by,
one wouldn't even know that this once
dominating structure once stood there.