Marion in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Southwestern State Mental Hospital

340 Bagley Circle

— Marion History Walk —

Southwestern State Mental Hospital Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. Southwestern State Mental Hospital Marker

Inscription. Opening in 1887, it was the first mental health hospital in the region. The campus was self-sufficient with cattle, horses, sheep, vegetable gardens, crops, blacksmiths, cobblers, and weavers on site.

Erected by Marion Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 36° 49.989′ N, 81° 31.136′ W. Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 11) east of South Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 E Main St, Marion VA 24354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lincoln Theatre (a few steps from this marker); Marion Musical Heritage Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); General Francis Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Look & Lincoln Wagon Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of Mountain Dew (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyth County Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion College (within shouting distance of this marker); Hungry Mother State Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Also see . . .

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A Brief History of the Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute (PDF). Originally named Southwestern Lunatic Asylum, the hospital admitted its first two patients on May 17, 1887. Using annual reports submitted by hospital superintendents, Phyllis Miller compiled this history to mark the facility's 125th anniversary in 2012. (Submitted on October 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. Southwestern State Mental Hospital Marker

Henderson Building, Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute image. Click for full size.

Skye Marthaler via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0), January 26, 2014

3. Henderson Building, Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute

Built in 1887 as the complex's administration building, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,381 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.