Photos

Creepy, Abandoned Hospitals and Asylums Around the U.S. (PHOTOS)

An insane asylum is photographed in Maryland. "Apparently abandoned quickly, we found things such as patient records and x-rays," photographer Liz Roll said.
(Liz Roll)

Photographer Liz Roll has shot many abandoned locations left to the elements, and one of her most intriguing subjects is abandoned hospitals and asylums. She says that there is a different vibe when shooting these locations, as you're not likely to find an autopsy room or a morgue in an abandoned home or any other abandoned building.

A mortuary is photographed in an autopsy theater at St. Elizabeths Psychiatric Hospital in Washington, D.C.
(Liz Roll)

"Many times, these places, unlike commerical places, will leave everything behind, so there will be some terrific artifacts still there," Roll said. "Buildings with artifacts are much more interesting than empty buildings."

An autopsy theater at St. Elizabeths Psychiatric Hospital is seen in Washington, D.C. (Liz Roll) Hundreds of slides with samples on them sit abandoned in this filing cabinet. — An autopsy theater at St. Elizabeths Psychiatric Hospital is seen in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of slides with samples on them sit abandoned in this filing cabinet.
(Liz Roll)

Roll explained that she found filing cabinets filled with patient records, X-rays, personal belongings, medical supplies, and intact exam rooms, a time-out chair at a children's hospital complete with straps and sample slides with blood and other specimens.

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Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is a 150 year old national historic landmark in Weston, W.V.
(Liz Roll)

"I think the imagination can run wild in places like this," the photographer said. "One can't help but think of all the terrible things that happened when it was up and running. For me, I guess it's a fascination with history combined with the bizarre element."

Smallpox Hospital looks like an abandoned castle. It is located on Blackwell's Island, which is now known as Roosevelt Island, in New York, N.Y.
(Liz Roll)

Roll visited hospitals in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia and New York. Not all were psychiatric hospitals; she visited Renwick Smallpocks Hospital on Roosevelt Island, New York, Henryton State Hospital in Marriottsville, Maryland, which was constructed for African-American citizens diagnosed with tuberculosis, and a children's hospital and a general hospital in Pennsylvania.

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An abandoned general hospital in Pennsylvania is seen above.
(Liz Roll)

Supplies are left behind at an abandoned general hospital in Pennsylvania.
(Liz Roll)

A laundry facility at Henryton State Hospital is photographed above. Henryton State Hospital was established as a sanatorium for African-Americans diagnosed with tuberculosis.
(Liz Roll)

Roll is a FEMA photographer, located in the Washington, D.C. metro area, and takes photographs during U.S. emergencies or disaster situations.

Abandoned hospital supplies are seen at St. Elizabeths Psychiatric Hospital in Washington, D.C.
(Liz Roll)

"In many ways, I see similarities between photographing abandoned locations and what I do on disasters — making something compelling out of a sad situation," Roll said.