Glendale-Heatherdowns in Toledo in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Toledo State Hospital New Cemetery, 1922-1973
Toledo State Hospital opened in January 1888 as the Toledo Asylum for the Insane. People were admitted with mild to severe forms of mental illness, and a variety of developmental, medical and neurological conditions, as well as for addictions, injuries, and old age. Originally built to house 650 people, by the 1950s its campus had grown to accommodate over 3,000. Growing access to new medications and treatments then began a gradual decline in patient population. Eventually, most of the buildings were razed, and much of the hospital's property was transferred, later becoming the site of The Medical College of Ohio. This transfer included the two Toledo State Hospital cemeteries, with documented burials (as of 2009) totaling 1,994 persons. Toledo State Hospital New Cemetery was opened in 1922, when the Old Cemetery (1888-1922), located .5 miles to the northeast, reached capacity. (continued on other side)
[Reverse Side of Marker] : "The Toledo State Hospital New Cemetery, 1922-1973"
(continued from other side) The New Cemetery is the resting place of over 1,000 children and adults of different religions, nationalities, races and occupations. They were admitted during a time when the state often assumed responsibility for people with disabling conditions. The State Hospital became home for many, as length of stay could last a lifetime, often spanning decades. Patients interred were without involved family or were buried here at their family's request. Burials ended in 1973 due to diminishing need. Graves were identified only by small concrete markers, numbered to correspond with the hospital burial log that identifies each person by name. These markers, for many years covered under soil and grass, are a reminder of a time when individuals with disabilities were hidden away in life and in death. Recognition of the burial site at last brings dignity and honor to them and to their final resting place.
Erected 2010 by The University of Toledo and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 57-48.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1888.
Location. 41° 37.026′ N, 83° 36.812′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is in Glendale-Heatherdowns. Marker is on East Campus Drive, 0.3 miles south of Arlington Avenue, on the right when traveling north. This historical marker is located in the southeastern corner of the University of Toledo Medical College campus, on the east side of the of the road, just across the street from an entrance to a school parking lot on campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Toledo OH 43614, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Medical College of Ohio (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Toledo State Hospital Old Cemetery, 1888-1922 (approx. ¾ mile away); Improving Delaware Creek (approx. 0.9 miles away); Adams Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chessie Circle Trail - Copland Blvd. (approx. 1.6 miles away); Swan Creek Preserve (approx. 1.6 miles away); Le Le & Nan Nan (approx. 1.6 miles away); Inuksuk (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toledo.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,155 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.