Doesn’t that brickwork tell a silent story? We’re standing before the Kay Beard Building. It is a significant structure with a history deeply intertwined with the story of Eloise Psychiatric Hospital.
Let’s step back in time. Eloise, named for Eloise Dickerson Davock, began as the Wayne County Poor House in 1839. It evolved into a sprawling complex including an asylum, sanatorium, and general hospital.
At its peak during the Great Depression, Eloise housed around 10,000 patients. It also employed 2,000 staff members. The complex was massive. It spanned 902 acres with 78 buildings.
The Kay Beard Building, originally known as Building D, played a crucial role within Eloise. Constructed in 1931, it served as a psychiatric facility. It also housed institutional administrative offices. Imagine over 400 patients residing here. The Kay Beard Building also provided living quarters for some employees including the Catholic chaplain.
Eloise was designed to be self-sufficient. It boasted its own police and fire departments. A railroad and trolley system served the residents. The facility even featured a bakery and an amusement hall.
Treatments at Eloise were considered advanced for their time. The hospital used X-rays for diagnoses. Radium was employed to treat cancer. Open-air treatment was utilized for tuberculosis. Patients underwent various therapies for mental health issues. These included electroshock therapy, insulin shock therapy, and music therapy. Lobotomies were also performed on some patients.
Over time, Eloise began to decline. Farm operations ceased in 1958. The psychiatric division started closing in 1977. By 1982, the last psychiatric patients were moved. The general hospital closed in 1986. Many buildings were demolished soon after.
However, the Kay Beard Building still stands. After Eloise closed, Wayne County used it for administrative offices until 2016. Today, it is a tangible link to the past.
Eloise has been designated a Michigan Historical Site. It is said that many spirits haunt the grounds. The Kay Beard Building has even been used for ghost tours.
There is one more thing. The Kay Beard Building even served as a movie set. The Eloise Asylum, the newest haunted attraction, benefits the homeless shelter.
As you look at the Kay Beard Building, consider its long history. Think of the thousands of people who passed through its doors. The building stands as a reminder of mental health care history. It’s a landmark in Westland’s evolving landscape.