Inside Oregon State Hospital: A History of Tragedy and Triumph

by Diane Goeres-Gardner, John Terry (Foreword)

A look inside the historic mental hospital that served as the location for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—includes photos.   Seen through the eyes of those who lived there, this book examines the world of a mental hospital established in Salem, Oregon, in 1883—where, in desperate attempts to cure their patients, physicians injected them with deadly medications, cut holes in their heads, and sterilized them.   Years of insufficient funding caused the hospital to decay into a crumbling, understaffed facility, which was later used as the setting for the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Today, after a $360 million makeover, Oregon State Hospital is a modern treatment hospital for the state’s civil and forensic mentally ill. In this compelling account of the institution’s tragedies and triumphs, author Diane Goeres-Gardner offers an unparalleled look at the very human story of Oregon’s historic asylum.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2013

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting read, as a mental health professional in Oregon. I didn't really like the way the book was organized, especially near the end, and I would have liked the chapters to have more of a story woven in, but overall, very interesting.

[Debbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched history of the Oregon State Hospital beginning with it's opening in 1883 and ending around 2007 when a new hospital was built. It waffled between fascinating and boring. The human stories such as the suicides, escapes, drug therapies, patient abuses, lobotomies and insulin therapy were all fascinating to read about. The changing personnel, politics, budgets, and statistics made for some dry material. The chapter on the filming of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was enlightening. Overall 3.0 stars.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book starts out with a listing of random facts about the early years of the hospital, its staff, and its patients. Ms. Goeres-Gardner moves from a list of the clothing a new patient brings with her to the cost of bringing patients to the asylum to a list of the disinfectants used to combat smallpox to a mention that the high board fence was replaced with a picket fence in 1890 to a (footnoted) assertion that an "excellent Christmas dinner was served to the patients" that same year. While any one of these thing might be interesting as part of a pattern, it just seemed like a jumble to me.

I found it very hard to get traction in this book so did not finish it before the Library Kindle version ran out its time. It is possible that the author offers less choppy and more coherent coverage of more recent times but I don't plan to take the book out again to find out.

[Edwin Battistella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inside Oregon State Hospital is the story of Salem, Oregon’s, historical state mental hospital, first established in 1883 as the Oregon State Insane Asylum. In a meticulously researched and robustly illustrated study, Diane Goeres-Gardner takes us through the stages and phases of the famous hospital where One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was filmed. It’s not just a history of an institution, but also the history of the various therapies—and approaches to mental illness (from moral therapies to hydrotherapy to drugs and lobotomies). And it’s the story of the various people associated with the institution—the patients (some of whom in the early days were inconvenient spouses), the doctors and superintendents who tried to make things work. It’s also the society’s relationship to mental illness and (and, this being Oregon) chronic underfunding. The book ends on a positive note, with the 2013 renovation of the hospital. This is a great addition to Oregon history.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok for what it was meant to be, I suppose. It was mainly a recap of statistical data on Oregon State Hospital with brief narratives on treatment methods (along with anecdotal stories) as they evolved at the hospital. I thought the research was thorough. However, the book might have read a bit easier if the statistics were weaved into a more thought-out narrative or telling of the hospital's history. As written, it came off a bit dry and even the statistical data jumped back and forth in time, so it was a bit confusing to try to keep up with it. I believe the story would have been better if the history was simply laid out in chronological order instead of the subject matter format presented. I stopped reading with less than a hundred pages to go, simply because I felt that I had the gist of the book without completing it.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overall history of Oregon State Hospital. Very well written with objective information rather than personal patient stories. I appreciated how organized and historically accurate this book was. Highly recommended to anyone interested in learning about the history and tragedies that can occur in a large state-run institution like OSH.

[Robin H-R Holmes Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stop at the Cuckoo's Next

A very interesting, well researched journey into Oregon's mental health system. Filled with historical incidents, photos, and statistics. I found it fascinating, but got bored with the stats after a while.

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight!

Not what I was expecting and was expecting more stories regarding the patients and not about numbers. I did lose interest in places but managed to pick it up again and finish the book.

[Mark H Duprey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

A great book. How much mental healthcare has advanced is a blessing. Decades ago, the patients were treated unethically, regarding respect and care. This book definitely shows hope for people suffering from mental challenges.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and well presented. I think most states have a very checkered past when it comes to mental health services. Very enlightening.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has a lot of potential, but I felt like it was very disorganized. Also, the font on shiny paper made it very difficult to read.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inconceivable. Unbearable.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry with a chance of sparks. If you love dull and endless who's who this is for you. An occasional look at patients and their chance of recovery

[Leta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and engaging. Bits of stories on patients and staff. Even a mass poisoning...

[Gillian]

Re

[Mariejkt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Very informative and tells it how it is and was at the Oregon State Hospital. The author is a very talented historian. I have read most of her books and recommend them all.

[Debra Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read.