Spring Grove Hospital Center - Cantonsville, Maryland

Located in Catonsville, Maryland, Spring Grove Hospital Center was founded in 1797. It is the nation’s second-oldest psychiatric hospital. It was originally known as The Baltimore Hospital, then The Maryland Hospital, followed by The Maryland Hospital for the Insane, and The Spring Grove Hospital Center. Spring Grove was originally built to care for people who had Yellow Fever away from the city of Baltimore. In 1840, Spring Grove began to only care for the mentally ill.

The current site was purchased in 1852 because the hospital’s needs were outgrowing the original buildings. Dr. Richard Sprigg Steuart, the President of the Board, got approval and funding from the Maryland General Assembly for the new buildings after social reformer Dorothea Dix gave an impassioned speech to the assembly. The cost of the new site was $14,000 or $531,447 today.

Construction of the new main building began in 1853, but work stopped in 1862 because of the Civil War. However, enough of the north wing was completed to be used as a military hospital during the war. It was completed in 1872.

Despite the delays caused by the Civil War, the new main building of the hospital was finally completed in 1872. The hospital continued to expand and improve over the years, adding new wings and facilities to meet the growing needs of the community. Today, the hospital stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of those who worked tirelessly to provide quality healthcare.

The history of the hospital serves as a reminder of the importance of healthcare and the impact it can have on a community. With its roots dating back to the mid-19th century, the hospital has a long-standing tradition of serving the people of Maryland with compassion and excellence.

On October 7, 1872, the first patients were transferred from the hospital’s original location in Baltimore to the new facility. The main building was designed under the Kirkbride plan, which called for a center admin section with two wings, one for male and one for female patients, on each side. It cost $760,000 to build or $18 million when adjusted for inflation.

The original capacity of the Kirkbride building was 325 patients, and it was used for almost 100 years. In 1964, it was demolished and replaced with more modern buildings. 

The Spring Grove Hospital Center currently operates 375 beds and averages 800 admissions and discharges per year.In May 2022, the State of Maryland sold the hospital campus to the University of Maryland for $1. The Maryland Department of Health, which operates the hospital, plans to close it eventually, but not for at least a decade. 

Main history of Spring Grove Hospital Center

• 1797: The Baltimore Hospital was founded.
• 1840: Transitioned to exclusively caring for the mentally ill.
• 1852: Current site purchased due to need for expansion.
• 1853: Construction of the new main building begins.
• 1862: Construction halted due to the Civil War, north wing used as a military hospital.
• 1872: New main building completed, first patients transferred from Baltimore.
• 1872: Main building designed under the Kirkbride plan, with separate wings for male and female patients.
• 1964: The original Kirkbride building demolished, replaced with modern facilities.
• 2022: State of Maryland sells its hospital campus to the University of Maryland for $1.
• Present: Operates 375 beds with an average of 800 admissions and discharges per year; plans for eventual closure by the Maryland Department of Health, but not for at least a decade.

Check out my other hospital stories