Spencer in Roane County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Spencer State Hospital Cemetery

Spencer State Hospital Cemetary Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. Mark Baker, October 24, 2024

1. Spencer State Hospital Cemetary Marker

Inscription.

Spencer State Hospital, first called the Second Hospital for the Insane, opened July 18, 1893. Patients with many disorders lived in the facility, as well as elderly people and unwanted children. Many residents without families lived there most of their lives and are buried in unmarked graves. According to WPA information in 1940, Cemetery No. 1 had 750 or more unmarked graves, 7 marked. Cemetery No. 2 had 100 marked graves, none unmarked. Earliest stone dated 1902. Spencer State Hospital closed June 1989.

Erected 1997 by Roane County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is July 18, 1893.

Location. 38° 47.467′ N, 81° 21.064′ W. Marker is in Spencer, West Virginia, in Roane County. It can be reached from Off Route (West Virginia Route 36). The cemetery is at the current Spencer Elementary school. It was desecrated by the school construction when built. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Off Rte, Spencer WV 25276, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. John's Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Market Street Chapel (approx. 0.7 miles away); Col. Ruby G. Bradley (approx. ¾ mile away); Capture of Spencer (approx. ¾ mile away); Spencer (approx. ¾ mile away); U. S. Civil War (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Spencer (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Spencer (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spencer.

Spencer State Hospital Cemetary Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. Mark Baker, October 24, 2024

2. Spencer State Hospital Cemetary Marker Reverse

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2024, by R. Mark Baker of Spencer, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2024, by R. Mark Baker of Spencer, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?