Welcome to the most comprehensive source of information about the history of Manteno State Hospital. This site includes historical photographs, images, reports, and other information about the former *Manteno State Hospital operational in Manteno, Illinois from 1929 – 1985. Other features include a list of outside links with relevant information, a book list, image collections, a few movies and the ability to search the site.
NOTE: If you plan on visiting the property that was once the old Manteno State Hospital campus please be law abiding and respectful of the current property owners. Over a 3rd of the northern part of the old main campus belongs to the federal government (Veterans Affairs) and is a retirement home for United States’ Military Veterans. The author of this web site maintains no ownership or authority and can not grant or condone any access to the former properties that once made up the campus of Manteno State Hostpial.
HOW TO
To navigate the main site, use the linked listing of all the site’s “pages” to your left. (“News” is where you will find all the latest news and updates.) If you do not find what you are looking for in “pages”, please try using the MSHwiki. Some pages and other information were moved to the wiki (such as the time line for Manteno State Hospital and the story of the cottages). This was done because there was information that could be easily linked up to relevant information in the MSHwiki or to other outside resources such as Wikipedia.
Help support the Manteno Project by purchasing merchandise from our shop. All designs are submitted in high resolution. Items have a profit of $1 – $2 each to keep your purchase price low. All proceeds go to support the Manteno Project web site and aid in the funding of research.
The Manteno Project
VIRTUAL MUSEUM
Objects from Manteno State Hospital These photographs are of items from Manteno State Hospital from various collectors, former employees, etc. These items were either photographed or physically donated. Physical donations will hopefully end up in museum on the hospital’s former grounds.
CREDIT AND THANKS
People, places and organizations who have contributed to the content of this site.
National Register of Historic Places Preliminary Evaluation Submittal
Genealogy and Vital Records Resources for Manteno State Hospital and Illinois
Seeking information about a family member who may have been a patient at MSH? Searching for their medical records, or trying to find their grave site? This is the page for you! (Also included on this page are links to other resources in the state of Illinois.)
OTHER INFO
*Manteno State Hospital closed in December of 1985 under the name of Manteno Mental Health Center, and is no longer a functioning institution for the mentally ill. All of the property that once made up Manteno State Hospital is now privately owned and consists of a veterans’ home, various other businesses and a housing development.
