Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Agency History
Scope and Content
Accruals
Related Collections at the California State Archives
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Department of Mental Hygiene - Mendocino State Hospital Records
Dates: 1887-1972
Collection number: R318, F3886
Creator:
Mendocino State Asylum for the Insane, 1889-1893;
Mendocino Asylum, 1893-1897;
The State Commission on Lunacy - Mendocino State Hospital, 1897-1921;
Department of Institutions - Mendocino State Hospital, 1921-1945;
Department of Mental Hygiene - Mendocino State Hospital, 1945-1972
Collection Size: 88 bound volumes, 520 file folders, and 217 photographs
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: Mendocino State Hospital, originally the Mendocino State Asylum for the Insane, was established in 1889. Major programs over
the years have included treatment for the criminally insane, alcoholic and drug abuse rehabilitation, a psychiatric residency
program, industrial therapy, and others. As part of a major reorganization by the Reagan administration, the hospital was
closed in 1972. Records of the hospital are divided into three groups dating from 1887-1972: Superintendent's Records, Business
Manager's Records, and Medical Records Division.
Physical location: California State Archives
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Access
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
Publication Rights
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Department of Mental Hygiene - Mendocino State Hospital Records, F3886:[folder number], California
State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Agency History
Mendocino State Hospital, originally the Mendocino State Asylum for the Insane, was established in 1889 (
Statutes 1889, Ch. 23). By that law the Governor was authorized to appoint a board of directors of five members for a term of four
years to select the site and to manage the institution.
In 1893, the name of the hospital was changed to the Mendocino Asylum (
Statutes 1893, Ch. 64). With the Insanity Law of 1897, the hospital took on the name of Mendocino State Hospital. The Insanity Law
created the State Commission on Lunacy which was given authority to see that all laws relating to care and treatment of patients
were carried out and to make recommendations to the Legislature concerning the management of hospitals for the insane. The
1897 law provided that each hospital should be controlled by a board of managers of five members appointed by the Governor
for four year terms.
In 1921, the state hospitals were placed under the authority of the newly-created Dept. of Institutions. The board of managers
continued, but only with advisory power.
The Department of Mental Hygiene was created by an act of the Legislature in 1945 (
Statutes 1945, Ch. 665). It was given authority over all state mental institutions. Boards of managers were replaced by boards of
trustees with no change in function. Advisory boards were established in 1969 to take over the responsibilities of the trustees.
Mendocino State Hospital, located in Talmage near the city of Ukiah, formally opened its doors in July 1893. Dr. Edward Warren
King was appointed first superintendent. The first patients, all male, were transferred from state mental institutions in
Stockton and Napa. Female patients were accepted beginning in 1894.
Following the stock market crash in the late 1920s, patient population increased rapidly. By 1932, the hospital had over 1,900
patients and 300 employees. By 1935, the figure had risen to over 2,600 patients. Hospital population hit a high in 1955 at
over 3,000 patients and 700 employees. Increasing discharges and transfer of the criminally insane to the Atascadero facility
eased overcrowding. By 1966, population was back under 1,800 patients.
Building construction occured in spurts over the years. The original main building, completed in 1893, was razed in 1952.
With the exception of two wards built in 1910 and 1918, the first major construction project took place between 1925-1933.
Little construction was accomplished in the 1940s. Between 1950-1955, many new major structures were completed to replace
old buildings and to provide facilities for new programs.
Major programs over the years have included treatment for the criminally insane (1929-1954), alcoholic and drug abuse rehabilitation,
a psychiatric residency program, industrial therapy, and others. As part of a major reorganization by the Reagan administration,
the hospital was closed in 1972.
Scope and Content
Records of the hospital are divided into three groups. The Superintendents' Records include minutes and correspondence of
the board of trustees (directors, managers) dating to 1887; annual monthly reports, 1940s-1950s; files from various hospital
committees, 1960s; historical materials collected by a history committee to celebrate the hospital's 75th anniversary; Pomo
News (hospital newsletter) 1948-1972; and photographs of staff, buildings, patients, and activities.
The records of the Business Manager are largely fiscal in nature and cover the period, 1895-1915. In addition, the business
manager's records include stock books, monthly reports on patient population, and abstracts of title to hospital property.
The Medical Records Division records relate to patients and include commitment registers (abstracts of commitments), 1893-1923;
patient indexes, 1893-1955; patient summaries; 1893-1972; discharge registers, 1894-1955; and, patient case files, 1892-1972.
Accruals
No further accruals expected.
Related Collections at the California State Archives
Goodwin J. Knight Papers
Governor's Papers, Statement of Expenditures, 1897 (GP3:115)
Governor's Papers, Statement of Dairy Production and Costs, 1904 (GP3:159)
Governor's Papers, Statement of Recommended Salary Schedules, 1909 (GP4:99)
Legislative Papers, Investigation into management of State Institutions, 1897-1899 (LP9:1-9)
Earl Warren Papers
Dept. of Finance Records
Dept. of Public Works Records
Dept. of Mental Hygiene Records
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Mental health
California. Dept. of Mental Hygiene
Mental illness--Treatment