Lunatic Asylum, Bull Street & Elmwood Avenue, Columbia

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,40-COLUM,7-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

tion to the fact that mental illness could "be treated. Patients were placed in pleasant sur- roundings for treatment not kept as prisoners or animals. Robert Mills considered this in his design. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Has been in continuous use by the hospital for patients from until and for housing and training nurses since that time. 2. Date of erection: 3. Architect: Robert Mills. 4. Original plans, construction, etc.: Original plans by Architect Robert Mills are at the South Carolina Archives Department in Columbia; photocopies of these have been included in this book. These plans cover the center section and two flanking Y/ings.

Plans of the remaining wings are available from measured drawings by Lafaye, Fair, Lafaye and Associates, Columbia, South Carolina, who remodeled the building and installed modem lighting, plumbing, and heating. 5. Notes on alterations and additions: It is known from hospital records that Robert Mils built the center section and the first portions of the flanking Y/ings in The next portion of the wing to the east was added in end the next portion of the wing to the west, in These both were from Mills1 plan and probably were designed hy him. The end portions of the flanking wings were requested to be constructed in IS4S. However, since the records have been lost, it is not known whether they were built then or "oj whom.

All evidence points to the livelihood that these were done by Samuel Sloan. It is certain that these end portions were erected prior to LUNATIC ASYLUM (NOW "MILLS BUILDING," SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL) HABS No. (?age 2) The original structure was enclosed with brick wall on four sides forming exercise areas. An engraving made by E. DeVillers, a Columbia artist, about shows this wall with the center portion lower and topped by iron fence. In this wall were a wide carriage gate in the center and two small gates to the right and left of it. Around the campus was enlarged and the wall on the north and east sides removed.

While the record is not positively clear,, there is reason to believe that these gates were reset in the extended wall on Calhoun Street, to form a campus entrance at the end of Piekens Street. There is evidence of the joining of the old and later brickwork immediately to the west of one of the smaller gates. The extended wall, running several blocks on Calhoun Street, enclosed the larger campus on which Samuel Sloan built the Main (administration) building and the Taylor building. This main building is noted by Sloan as the "Center" building and was built in The record shows Sloan working at the hospital as early as and mentions work on the "old" (Mills) building but is not specific as to the 'work done. 6. Sources of information: a. South Carolina Acts & Resolutions - Page 35. b.

South Carolina Reports & Resolutions - Page 99. c. Lunatic Asylum - Annual Report - d. Fifty-Ninth Annual Report of the South Garolina Lunatic Asylum - and Sixty-First Annual Report of the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum - e. "Architects of Charleston," Beatrice St. Julien Ravenel, P. Also P. f. Journal of the American Institute of Architects - June g. South Carolina Reports & Resolutions - P. h. "Geography of South Carolina]' W. G. Simms - P. 19. B. Supplemental Material: The following is quoted from a. paper presented by Walter F.

Petty to the Arts Glub at the Mills Building, on January 9, "The Architecture and the Architects of the 'Mills Building1 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL "In my few remarks to you today, I shall try to point out the signifi- cant features and importance of this building, now serving as the Nurses1 LUNATIC ASYLUM (NOW "MILLS BUILDING/' SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL) HABS No. (Page 3) Home for the South Carolina State Hospital. Before going into the history of the "building itself, I "believe you would like to know more about the Architects whose work it is. "We have recorded proof that the original building, consisting of the center section and one angular wing on the east and west sides, and com- pleted in was designed, by South Carolina's greet Architect of the last century, Robert Mills.

/South Carolina Acts & Resolutions - p. 35/ The first addition to this building was completed in and a second wing added in /South Carolina Reports & Resolutions - p. 92/ In request was made for two more vrijigs, /Lunatic Asylum - Annual Report - "but whether these were constructed immediately is not definitely shown by the records. The additions appear to have been made in possibly four stages, and it is not clear regarding the Architect for these additions.

"Samuel Sloan, a Philadelphian, who appears to have traveled and slept in as many places as George Washington, was doing work at the hospital in The record is clear that he did the "Center" building (noY/ Administration) la and the architectural detail indicates he may have done the South wing of the main building in and the North wing in /Fifty-Ninth Annual Report of the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum - and Sixty-First Annual Report of the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum - The record does show that he did work on the 'old1 building (Mills Building), but what, is not indicated.

"Mills was born in or around Charleston In and died in Washington, in Sloan was born in Philadelphia In and died in Raleigh in During their combined life span of 103 years, these two men made major contributions to the Architectural heritage of America, and to me it Is unique that the talents of both are preserved here in one building. Mills was the great exponent of the classic tradition, particularly the Greek Revival, while Sloan ranged the field from the Gothic Revival of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, the Italian Renaissance formality of the Joseph Harrison (later Stotesbury) House in Philadelphia, to the Moorish Villa Longwocd1, in Matches, Mississippi.

Sloan exhibited his talents in this building by adding to the work of Mills in such a way that the structure appears to be the work of one man. I unhesitatingly rate this building as a historic structure of national importance in the architectural development of America. "Mills lived in Charleston until around He returned to Charleston for a brief period in and again in Returning to South Carolina in he practiced his profession in the state until interrupted by a brief period in Baltimore in The great majority of his work in this state was done between and After leaving South_Carolina, he made his home n Washington until his death in /"Architects of Charleston," Beatrice St. Julien # Ravenel, pp. He was burled in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington in an unmarked grave.

Edward Bateman Morris, F.A.I.A., of Washington, D. C, sparked the effort to place a suitable marker here LUNATIC ASYLUM (MOW "MILLS BUILDING/1 SOUTH CAROLINA STATS, HOSPITAL) HABS No. (Page 4) and in was responsible for the present monument of North Carolina Granite which was paid for by the contributions of Architects around the country, especially from South Carolina. A photograph taken in shows the area around the monument grown up_in weeds. /Journal of the American Institute of Architects - June "Mills studied under James Hoban, (Architect of the White House), Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Henry Latrobe. He was an assistant to Latrobe during the construction of the National Capitol. /"Architect of Charleston/1 p.

IUOJJ He is best known to the public as the Architect for the Washington Monument, although his work is scattered throughout South Carolina and in such varied places as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Augusta, Mobile and New Orleans. He claimed to be the first native bom American who had studied to be an Architect, the others having entered the profession from other trades or as amateurs. His architecture is characterised by Ms capable and unerring, but sometimes unorthodox, treatment of classic motifs. His use of the high basement and porticos, supported on arcades, his great interest in fire resistant construction, and his frequent use of round headed single windov/s and flat headed triple windows, is typical.

He often tempered the severity of his design with curving steps, as is done on this buildiog. It is very typical of his design that his build- ings look their best in brilliant sunlight, each slight raised surface or detail thrown into high relief. In his WICKHAM HOUSE in Richmond, now a part of the Valentine Miseum, he proved his ability to use orna- ment in profusion, and having done so, preferred the austerity and simplicity in his designs. His public buildings have an almost mathmatical quality. "Robert Mills was a man of many talents, among them his interest in navigation canals, railroads, Cartography and bridge design. Among published writings, his 'Atlas' and 'Statistics of South Garolina', are remarkably accurate and useful works.

In he published 'Inland Navigation', a plan for a great canal between Charleston and Columbia, and in 'Internal Improvement in South Carolina1. He presented the subject of the 'Railroad System1, to the Legislature of South Carolina who treated it as too visionary, but it so impressed commercial interests, that a company was formed to build a railroad from Charleston to Hamburg, on the Savannah River. This road, when built in was the world's longest passenger steam railroad. Other than furnishing the idea, Mills seems to have had nothing to do with the company. "And now a few remarks about this building. It was among the first authorized, and was the third completed mental hospital in America built with public funds.

The original appropriation for building and grounds was The appropriation read, l- to be erected of brick and stone, covered with slate or tile '. Investigation fur- ther reported that, ' to complete the same on a plan creditable to the State -will cost with an additional to build a brick wall surrounding the lot? pipes for the water^ and necessary outbuildings', /South Carolina Reports & Resolutions - p. The corner stone was laid in July, and the building was LUNATIC ASYLUM (MOW "MILLS BUILDING," SOUTH CAROLINA STATS HOSPITAL) HABS No. (Page 5) ready for patients in The first patient was admitted December 12, The corner stone is no longer in evidence, and my assumption is that it was covered up with the wing and additions.

As finished and furnished, the building was reported 'imposing in externals, very spacious and proof against fire it is large enough to_accommcdate 120 patients and the total cost approaches_$100,0G0.00. /"Geography of South Carolina," W. G. Simms - p. 12/ At the time of construc- tion, Mills was State Architect, The South Carolina Year Book, quotes Mills as writing, ' the "building combines elegancy with permanency, economy and security from fire the facade represents a center and two wings, with a cupola for ventilating the upper stories. The entrance of the center building is under a grand portico of six massive Greek Doric columns, four feet in diameter, elevated on an open arcade and rising the entire height of the wing buildings; the whole surmounted with a pediment '.

The roof garden has been hailed as the first in America. Mills' ingenuity and humanitarianism are shown in more than one feature of the design. Beatrice St. JUlien Ravenel in her excellent book 'The Architects of Charleston1, quotes the Charleston Courier - February 21, as follows, ' Not the smallest appearance of a prison is manifest in the building. Security is agreeably disguised under appearances familiar to the eye in every private house. The iron bars take the similitude of sashes; the hinges and locks of the doors are all secret; so that every temptation is put out ox" the way to make an escape '. Here then is one of the first examples of the new thought in regard to those unfor- tunate people who were mentally ill.

Care and treatment for recovery and humane therapy become more important than maximum jail-like security. "I shall give you a few examples of Mils' architectural achievements, in addition to the Washington Monument. The Circular Congregational Church, Charleston, (burned in Monumental Methodist Church, Richmond; Bethesda Presbyterian Ghurch, Camden; First Baptist Churchy Charleston; A wing to the County Jail; the 'Fireproof1 building on Meeting Street, and the Old Marine Hospital, all in Charleston. This building, the second Ainsley Hall Mansion on Blanding Street (until recently the Columbia Bible College), and the Maxey Gregg Monument on the University campus in Columbia.

Among the many court houses in South Carolina attributed to Mills (some now destroyed) are Williamsburg, Newberry, Greenville, and York Counties; and jails in York^ Lancaster^ Union and Spartanburg. He is known to have designed the old Court House in Camden, and is said to have done those in Winnsboro and Marlboro, while the appearance and detail of those in Walterboro, Conway and Georgetown indicate they were of his design. ,f And now a few v/ords about Samuel Sloan. It is not so easy to pin down his career as it is that of Mills. We do know that he was born in Philadelphia in and practiced there as an Architect until He then moved to Raleigh and lived there until his death in Sloan was rated a major expert on Hospitals for the insane.

Ke is credited with doing such buildings in Alabama, Kentuckys Michigan, LUNATIC ASYLUM (NOW "MILLS BUILDING/* SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL) HABS No. (page 6) Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Connecticut, Miimesota, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mot all of the above are now identifiable.

Harold Cooledge, Associate Professor of Architecture at Clemson College, pub- lished a check list of Sloan's work for the years to I884 in the March, I960, issue of.the 'Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians', and lists therein Sight public buildings such as Court Houses and Jails; seven civic buildings; Twenty-two public schools and colleges; Four private schools; Thirteen hospitals for the insane; Two general hospitals; Twenty-two churches and church buildings; Twenty coinraercial buildings, and Thirty-seven residences; with the above scattered over thirteen states, ranging from Minnesota to Mississippi and all points in between. This explains ray previous remark that Sloan must have slept in as many places as George Washington.

"As a parting point of interest, South Carolina Reports and Resolutions of Volume I, pages 393 to 429 list the following payments to Sloan; December - - Architectural Drawings January - - Hotel Bill Febraary - - Plans, Etc. March - - Architect's Fees May - - Professional Fees June - - Services July - - September - - October - - Salary & Expense "One wonders what the July and September payments covered, and where Sloan spent the months of April and August. And now let us look around the building and discuss its architecture.11 Prepared by Walter F. Petty, AIA Preservation Officer, South Carolina Chapter July PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural character: An early and good insane asylum by Robert Mills, later added to by Samuel Sloan.

This building is of unusual interest in that it was among the first authorized, and the third completed, hospital for the mentally ill paid for by State funds. It is an excellent example of the work of Robert Mils, who introduced several innovations, including "fireproof construction," iron bars spaced to resemble muntins, locks of doors all secret, and a hot-air heating system. LUNATIC ASYLUM (HOW "MILLS BUILDING," SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL) HABS No. (Page 7) 2. Condition of fabric: Good. B. Technical Description of Exterior; 1. Over-all dimensions: Three stories on a raised basement with a fourth story over the center section only. Irregular- center block with flanking wings set back at an angle. 2.

Foundations: Brick, Flemish bond, with each fifth course recessed to give horizontal emphasis. Arcaded under por- tico, with five brick arches. 3. Wall construction: Stone belt course at first floor. Solid brick walls, 21" and in Flemish bond. Brick pilasters in Flemish bond at corners of central pavilion. 3. Porches: Large projecting hexastyle prostyle portico on front of central (Mills) pavilion plain unfluted Tuscan columns, without bases. This portico is constructed of stuccoed brick, has a heavy but simple entablature and low pediment with a three-part multi-pane segmental arch window. On each side of the portico is a flight of grace- ful curved stone stairs to the ground with a simple wrought- Iron railing.

The rear porch indicated on Mills' drawing has been removed, as have the end porches (east and west m 4. wings), evidence of which remains. Chimneys: Four large chimneys (not visible from ground) have been bricked up, 5. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: There is a front entrance doorway on the ground floor level under the portico, and a front entrance doorway on the portico level. This portico doorway has double doors, each with four panels, with a large fan light over it, pilaster trim with brick arch above. There is a door at the rear on the main floor level in the circular stair tower, and a door at each end of the buildings, which is not used since the porches have been removed. b.

Windows and shutters: Double-hung wood sash, twelve- lights over twelve-lights,with arch heads on first floor and flat keystone arches on upper floors of front facade. On the rear, nine-light over nine-light double-hung wood sash, with filled panel and head on the first floor and flat keystone arches on the upper floors. In the basement there are small six-light over six-light windows, except on the front of the 6 central pavilion, where they have arch heads. There are no shutters. LUNATIC ASYLWi (NOW BUILDING/' SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL) HABS No. (Page 8) 7. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Flat-type, copper-covered roof with brick parapet. b. Cornice: Simple brick and stucco cornice. c. Cupola: Cupola at rear of central pavilion over apsidal stair hall.

Octagonal sixteen-light Gash on each side. Simple cornice and dcrmical roof. C. Technical Description of Interiors: 1. Floor plans: (Each floor is basically similar.) Center hall, front to rear, with cross hall running the length of the building. New stair in apsidal projecting rear of central pavilion. Smaller stairs at each side. 2. Stairways: The main stair is in a semicircular tower on the main axis. It has two runs, with curved landing^ a fluted, column-like newel, simple rail and baluster. There are two minor stairways in the angle between the center and angular wings. These stairs have monolithic stone steps, cantilevered from the wall. These have two runs and simple Iron railings. 3. Flooring: Wood, in later wings, on wood joists.

Original center section on brick arch system floors were originally of tile, but now are vinyl tile on cement fill. * 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Segmental-arch barrel vaults in transverse halls; groin vaults In center hall and rooms; plaster finish to walls and ceiling. 4* Doorways and doors: Simple three-panel doors are original. Later replacements have two panels. Simple molded archi- traves. Transoms over doors. 5. Trim: Simple trim is Federal style. There are baseboards, chair rails, and paneled reveals to doors and architraves to doors and arches. 6. Hardware: Modern, except for front entrance butts. 7. Lighting: Conventional electric. Formerly gas and oil. 3. Heating: Fireplaces have been bricked up.

There are four original mantles with Greek Doric column treatment, that are now in private residences. There is now hot-water heating with radiators. LUNATIC ASYLUM (NOW "MILLS BUILDING/' SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOSPITAL) HABS No. (Page 9) D. Site: The building faces northwest onto the campus-like grounds of the hospital. The hospital grounds are bounded on the north by Elmwood Avenue^ on the east oy Pickens Street, on the west by Bull Streets and on the south by Calhoun Street. 1. Outbuildings: Other hospital buildings. 2. Walks, driveways: Several driveways and walks around building; parking in rear. 3. Landscaping: Mature planting of trees, shrubss and lawns in campus-like setting. Prepared by Walter F. Petty^ AIA Preservation Officer, South Carolina Chapter July AND James C.

Massey^ Architect National Park Service July Addendum To: HABS NO. LUNATIC ASYLUM ("South Carolina State Hospital, Mills Bull Street & Elmwood Avenue Columbia Ho-COVJ'N Richland County South Carolina PHOTOGRAPHS Historic American .Buildings -Survey National Park Service- \ -'{ Department of the. interior-: .. Washington..,