SOUTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE
Located at Anna, Union County and founded by act of the Legislature in 1869.
The original site comprised 290 acres and cost a little more than $22,00, of which one-fourth was donated by citizens of the county. The construction of the buildings was begun in 1869 but it was not until March 1875 that the north wing (the first completed) was ready for occupancy.
Other portions were completed a year later. The Trustees purchased 160 additional acres in 1883. The first cost (up to September, 1876) was nearly $635,000. In 1881 one wing of the main building was destroyed by fire, and was subsequently rebuilt.
The patients being, meanwhile, cared for in temporary wooden barracks. The total value of lands and buildings belonging to the State, June 30, 1894, was estimated at $738,580 and of property of all sorts, at $833,700. The wooden barracks were later converted into a permanent ward, additions made to the main buildings, a detached building for the accommodation of 300 patients erected, numerous outbuildings put up and general improvements made.
A second fire on the night of Jan 3, 1895 destroyed a large part of the main building, inflicting a loss upon the State of $175,000. Provision was made for rebuilding by the Legislature of that year. The institution has capacity for about 750 patients.