Kings Park Psychiatric Center

Kings Park Psychiatric Center (KPPC), originally known as the Kings County Asylum, was a large mental health institution located in Kings Park, Long Island, New York. Established in 1885, the facility was built to provide care for the mentally ill in a self-sustaining environment away from the crowded institutions of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Over the next century, it grew into a sprawling psychiatric hospital with over 150 buildings spread across 1,200 acres.

The hospital was known for its innovative yet controversial treatments, including early electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), lobotomies, and later the use of psychotropic medications. As deinstitutionalization efforts gained momentum in the latter half of the 20th century, the facility saw a dramatic decline in patient numbers, eventually closing its doors in 1996. Today, much of the abandoned hospital remains, drawing urban explorers, historians, and paranormal investigators.

Establishment and Early Years (1885–1900)

The Kings Park Psychiatric Center was initially developed to relieve overcrowding in psychiatric hospitals in New York City. It was built under the idea of creating a “farm colony”, where patients would engage in farming and manual labor as part of their treatment. The hospital opened with a few small buildings, housing around 50 patients, but quickly expanded as the demand for mental health services grew.

Expansion and Peak Years (1900–1950)

During the early 20th century, KPPC saw massive growth, with the addition of large dormitory buildings, administration offices, research facilities, and medical treatment centers. By the 1930s and 1940s, the facility housed over 9,000 patients, making it one of the largest psychiatric institutions in the United States.

The hospital became self-sufficient, operating its own power plant, fire department, bakery, and farms. In addition to traditional therapy, patients were assigned daily tasks like farming, construction, and laundry work, reinforcing the idea that work could be therapeutic.

Medical advancements in psychiatry led to experimental treatments, including electroshock therapy (ECT) and prefrontal lobotomies, which were commonly performed at Kings Park during the 1940s and 1950s. These treatments, though later controversial, were seen at the time as potential solutions for severe mental illness.

Decline and Closure (1950–1996)

With the introduction of psychotropic medications in the 1950s, long-term institutionalization began to decline. The deinstitutionalization movement of the 1970s and 1980s, which sought to transition mental health care to community-based services, led to a sharp reduction in patient numbers. Many large psychiatric hospitals, including Kings Park, faced severe budget cuts.

By the 1980s, much of the hospital’s infrastructure was underused or abandoned, and the patient population dropped below 1,000. In 1996, the New York State Office of Mental Health officially closed KPPC, transferring the remaining patients to Pilgrim Psychiatric Center and other facilities. The property was then handed over to the New York State Parks Department.

Current Status and Preservation Efforts

Since its closure, Kings Park Psychiatric Center has largely been abandoned, with many buildings left to decay. In 2000, the state converted a portion of the land into Nissequogue River State Park, but much of the hospital remains in a state of ruin. The decaying structures, underground tunnels, and eerie remnants of the hospital continue to attract urban explorers, historians, and ghost hunters.

Several preservation groups have advocated for the restoration of some buildings or the demolition of unsafe structures. Some structures, such as Building 93, the tallest on-site at 13 stories, remain standing but heavily deteriorated. Trespassing is prohibited, and there is ongoing debate about how to handle the property moving forward.

The 13 Story Building 93

One of the most iconic and well-documented buildings on the Kings Park campus, Building 93 is a towering 13-story structure that once served as a patient dormitory. It is known for its decayed interior, crumbling stairwells, and graffiti-covered walls. Many urban explorers have captured haunting photos of its abandoned corridors.

The Underground Tunnels

Like many large psychiatric facilities, KPPC had a network of underground tunnels that connected different buildings. These tunnels were used for transporting patients, supplies, and laundry services. Today, they are largely sealed off, but they continue to be a source of mystery and intrigue for explorers.

The Power Plant

One of the few still-standing industrial structures, the Kings Park power plant once provided electricity and heat to the entire hospital. The plant is heavily vandalized but remains a popular spot for urban explorers.

Paranormal Activity & Legends

Kings Park Psychiatric Center is considered one of the most haunted locations on Long Island. Paranormal investigators and visitors have reported strange noises, shadow figures, and cold spots. Some common legends and reports include:

• Apparitions of former patients seen wandering the halls of Building 93.
• Disembodied voices and screams coming from within abandoned structures.
• Shadowy figures moving across windows in locked buildings.
• Cold spots and sudden temperature drops experienced in certain areas.
• Objects moving on their own or being thrown by unseen forces.

The site continues to be a focus for paranormal investigation teams, who claim to have captured EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and unexplained anomalies in their footage.

Access and Restrictions

Kings Park Psychiatric Center is officially off-limits to the public, as many of the buildings are in severe disrepair and structurally unsafe. Despite no trespassing laws, the site remains a hotspot for urban explorers, ghost hunters, and photographers.

Portions of the land have been incorporated into Nissequogue River State Park, offering hiking trails, scenic views, and historical markers. However, visitors are warned to respect property boundaries and avoid unsafe buildings.

Legacy & Cultural Impact

Kings Park Psychiatric Center remains a symbol of both progress and controversy in the history of mental health care. It highlights the shifts in psychiatric treatment from long-term institutionalization to modern community-based care.

The site’s haunting atmosphere has inspired books, documentaries, and films. It has been featured in:

• Documentaries like Cropsey (2009), which explores Long Island’s urban legends.
• Paranormal TV shows investigating its ghostly reputation.
• Photography projects capturing its eerie beauty.

Although the hospital has been closed for decades, its history, legends, and impact on Long Island’s landscape continue to captivate visitors and researchers.

Editors Note: Kings Park Psychiatric Center is officially off-limits to the public.