Dentist:
I went to the Dentist a few times and it was just awful. I had a lot of pain from the Dr. not giving me Novocaine, and slapping me and telling me to be quiet and sit still. I am afraid of dentist to this day. I would rather drink acid than go to the Dentist. LOL
.
Foot Doctor:
I went to the foot Doctor once for an ingrown toenail, again pain was issued, LOL.
I also remember twice a day (morning and at night) sitting in chairs by the office, soaking my feet in hot water with red iodine for athletics feet. This was common.
They had a rule of no bare feet walking around Hall-18, you had to wear at least socks.
Break the rules got you punishment of one sort or another.

I went to the denist. No shots or anything, he just started drilling a wisdom tooth. Had me come back a month later and then pulled it.

I refused to go back after that.

Twice today I was asked about my life after TCSH:
All Questions like this one will be answered in my book co writen by Heidi Smith, "Where Buffalo Roam".
When I turned 18 the state of Michigan could no longer hold me against my will, as a new state law said that I was an adult. This was Jan 71, (By birthday is at the end of Dec)
I was released. I had a few hundred dollars and I got on a gray hound bus and went to California.
I than made up a big lie to hide my shame, teenage years and just blocked out of my mind the true story. I had nightmares, bad ones, until recently, of always going back to hall-18 knocking on the door and asking them to let me in and they did, but than I could never leave. I use to wake up at night screaming and in soaking in sweat. I never spoke of my life in the 1960's to anyone unless it was the lie I made up. Thou a few staff members I hated, Dr. Thill is the only one I truly had a grudge against. He is lucky I never found him in a dark place. I truly hated him! Even after his death he frightens me. I presume he is now dead.
In 1972, I was hungry and flat broke than I joined the Army. A lot happened from 1972 untill now, I own my own place in Florida and I am retired. I had no help from the state of Michigan nor any state. Everything I have I earned.
The post TCSH, info is going to be in my next book "The Wild And Crazy Guy", lol.
I hope this clears this up.

ronl wrote:.
Okie you got it right, see
Published: July 20, 2009 06:55 am
Reunion for State Hospital employees
TRAVERSE CITY -- Former employees and retirees of the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital/Traverse City State Hospital and all State Employee Retiree Association members are invited to a reunion on July 30.

The get-together will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Blair Township Park, County Road 633, Grawn. Attendees should bring a dish to pass and a lawn chair. Meat, paper products, coffee and lemonade will be furnished.

For more information, contact Bob Maddox, 276-9114 or maddox@coslink.net.

Thanks Ron...now I see I had scrambled brains last night. lol I confuse myself a lot

Sounds like you 2 were just wild and crazy guys period Just normal (what ever that is) kids. I am just amazed that you are able to lead productive lives and laugh at some of your experiences. I do appreciate your sharing them here.

I have just one word...WOW.. I visited the TCSH not too long ago and the building just sent chills down my spine. It's so hard to imagine the things that went on in that building. I really wanted to find out more about TCSH and I stumbled across this Thread. Thank you SOO much for sharing your experience with everybody. It must be hard but its great of you to let people know the truth about what things were like inside. Thank you again, I have read this entire 12 pgs. of thread and you two have answered so many of my questions!

Thank you. There is more to come stay tuned.
BTW how long did it take to read the 12 pages?

haha, umm about 2hrs..it was pretty fascinating..

MAR22 Welcome to the site.

click image for a full-sized view



I heard from many the place was being renovated.


This is how I remember it...............


click image for a full-sized view

This picture is a little older because I don't think there was a pond out front when we were there.
Mike

Thanks for the warm welcome! They have turned the upper floors of building 50 into apartments and on the lower floors there are little boutiques, restaurants, and even a wine tasting room. And a building right close to building 50 is being renovated into more apartments, and should be finished in 2010. Most of the other surrounding buildings don't look like they are in great shape.

Actually the picture I posted of tcsh is from "1920" so it's much older.

Technically, the place was newer/younger(55) back then. It was close to if not more than a century old when we were there.

I have to say, at least from the outside it was a beautiful looking building..(especially in the picture you posted)

mar22 wrote:I have to say, at least from the outside it was a beautiful looking building..(especially in the picture you posted)

There is something about the building that I liked, I guess the old structure.

Even before I was admitted in the early 60's, seeing the place from the road looked like a haunted castle.

It's like some of the old abandond 2 and 3 story farm houses I've see here in Oklahoma when I drive the back roads. They look like (and some could be) old plantations.

ooh, I like the haunted castle idea ..that sums up the building real well. I cant remember if you have said this already, but have you ever come back and revisited whats left of the remaining buildings?

Around 1980'ish, I took a ride to Mackinaw with friends, and when we went past the hospital, for that brief second that you could see the hospital from the Hwy, The sight of it terrified me, stone cold. I could not even speak, as we went quietly by. That was the only time I have sort of returned. A million dollars could not have gotten me to go on the grounds during that trip. I still have mixed emotions about returning