Asylum by the Lake

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History

Timeline

1871 - 1900 || 1900 - 1910  || 1910 - 1920  || 1930 - 1940  || 1940 - 1950

1950 - 1960  || 1960 - 1970  || 1970 - 1980  || 1990 - 2000 and beyond

1871 

Annual meeting of the asylum superintendents at the Provincial Lunatic Asylum in Toronto, during which the new "cottage system" of asylums is discussed.  

 

1884

Dr. Daniel Clark, the superintendent of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, finds provincial farm in rural Mimico located just south of the shore of Lake Ontario and decides that it would be a good setting for a new branch asylum. He also persuades the Queen's Park to sell 25 acres from the east and west side of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum and to use the accumulated funds toward the construction of a branch in Mimico.          

Provincial Lunatic Asylum, 1867.

 

1885

Convinced by Dr. Clark, Kivas Tully, the Chief Provincial Architect, along with Inspector O'Reilly, travel to the central and northeastern parts of the United States in order to investigate "the cottage system" implemented in the architecture and the management of the existing asylums. In August, O'Reilly continues his travels with the Honourable Provincial Secretary and together they examine a number of newly built hospitals, including one in Middleton, Connecticut. Next, they order Tully to  make a trip there in order to obtain the plans and to research the ways in which the buildings are being administrated. 

 

                                    c.1881 – 1890 

Construction of the new branch asylum, using patients from the Provincial Lunatic Asylum as a source of unpaid patient labour, starts. Note: according to different historical sources, the following dates are also possible: 1883 - 1890 and 1884 - 1890. However, most references agree that the erection of the buildings first took place in 1881 and ended in 1890.

 

1888   

A group of ten male patients of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum and two attendants came to make the institution ready for the new influx of  patients. They become the first residents of the new branch. 

Mimico Branch Asylum, 1889.

 

1889, January 21       

Mimico Branch Asylum opens its doors for first 116 patients transferred from Toronto. They are deemed as chronically and incurably insane. The asylum has only forty staff members and consists of three cottages and three general buildings, connected to each other by underground tunnels. It is designed to be a  self-sufficient institution, not depended on founding from the provincial government for its operations and maintenance. As a result, the patients are required to work on the land accumulated for farming, just south and north from the asylum. 

 

1890 – 1894                

Dr. Thomas William Reynolds, followed by Dr. John Cascaden, become temporary superintendents. 

Dr. John Bernard Murphy becomes the first permanent superintendent.    

 

1891

Kivas Tully designated a cemetery, today located at Evans Road and Horner Avenue.

 

1892    

Two cottages are added on both on the north and the south side for the most indisposed patients. 

Carriage House is built, known today as William's Coffee Pub. Another source states it was built in 1900.     

 

1893 

Gatehouse (originally called an entrance lodge) is erected by patients. Other sources cite that it was built in 1910.

 

1894                            

Due to increasing number of patients, the asylum gains administrative autonomy by becoming an independent institution from the Provincial Lunatic Asylum in Toronto, and is subsequently renamed as Mimico Insane Asylum. 

Dr. Nelson Henry Beemer becomes the superintendent and promotes contact with the outside 

community. 

October 10

"Escaped from Mimico", Toronto Star, October 10, 1894.Toronto Star reports that a patient named John Butler, 60, has escaped from the asylum. He is described as being dressed in "asylum clothes, weighted about 180 pounds, and wore a full round black beard."

 

 

1896                            

The cricket oval, located immediately south of the buildings, is levelled by patients.  Reportedly, it is one of the Superintendent's residence. Date unknown. finest in the Township of Etobicoke, and the incorporation of the Mimico Asylum Cricket Club soon follows. A superintendent's residence is constructed (later known as the Cumberland House, today it houses the Jean Tweed Residence). Two separate pavilions are built for the leisure of male and female patients and staff.  

 

1898                            

Assembly Hall is constructed, using patient labour (another date suggests that it was built in 1897).

 

1899                            

New stores facility, located on the ground floor of the Assembly Hall, is constructed.     

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1900                            

It is reported that the asylum now consists of ten cottages, housing 590 patients and a staff of 93.

 

1901 

Conservatory is built. It has not survived; possibly a former greenhouse.

 

1903       

The asylum acquires 76 acres of H.J. McNeil Farm (the name refers to a provincial creditor) from the west of the hospital, marked on maps of surveyors as "Lot 6." The land is to be worked by the patients as part of their therapy in order to continue maintaining the growing asylum as a self-sufficient institution.  

 

1905

Cottage 2 is destroyed by fire.  

 

1906 

Cottage 2 is rebuilt. 

 

1908

The first training school for nurses is funded. 

A barn is constructed on the north side of the McNeil farm. 

 

1909       

Additions to the Gatehouse are made, which include new kitchen, pantry, bedroom, closets, bathroom, andPostcard. Date unknown. enlarged cellar with hot air furnace. 

A construction of a building for intensive care is requested. Planned to be  constructed in 1979, it is never completed.      

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1910                            

The Gatehouse, an incinerator, paint shop, and barn are built. 

The asylum now houses 602 and has 111 staff members.     

 

1912

A pumping house is built. Lakehouse is erected. It is located farther away from the hospital buildings, toward the lake. It is used to provide accommodation for the staff. It has not survived.   

 

1920                            

The asylum is renamed as Ontario Hospital, Mimico. 

It now treats 619 with a staff of 104. 

A fire tower is added to the rear building.  

 

1921, October 14 

A nurse named Rachael Lake rescues "a woman patient suffering from manic depressive of the depressed type with strongly suicidal impulses" from a suicide attempt by trying to drown in the lake.

 

1927 

Dr. Beemer, the superintendent, is sued by a former patient for $25,000. The patient wins the case, but is only awarded compensation of $1.

 

1928

Dr. Fulton Schuyer Vrooman becomes the superintendent.

The Occupational Therapy Department is inaugurated. 

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1930                            

Dr. Hugh Alexander McKay is appointed as the superintendent. 

The asylum consists of 795 patients and 177 staff members. 

Powerhouse is erected. Still standing today, south of the cottages, towards the lake. Another reference suggests that it was constructed in 1937.   Nurses at the Ontario Hospital, New Toronto. Date unknown.

Root house (vegetable storage), laundry, and nurses' residence are constructed between 1930 - 1934. Administration Building is partially renovated between 1930 - 1934, and the turret is removed in order to avoid the cost of its restoration. 

Carriage House is modified to store vehicles rather than horses and divided into three sections. All of the construction is completed by patients who are not awarded any financial compensation. 

 

1931                            

Due to severe overcrowding, an extension is built to the Cottage A, thus joining it to the Cottage B. 

Cottages F, G, and J are extended to the Cottage 1.     

 

1932 

The underground railroad (located in the underground tunnels and used to transport food from the main 

kitchen) ceases its operations to due to its deteriorating conditions. 

 

1934                            

The hospital is renamed Ontario Hospital, New Toronto. 

The approved homes program begins, originated by the chief social worker, Lillian Oliver. The homes are located in rural areas and provide residential care for long-term patients.    

 

1936

Dr. Thomas Daly Cumberland becomes the superintendent. 

 

1937 

Insulin shock treatment starts to be administrated as a form of therapy. Powerhouse, described as "the most modern plant owned by 

the provincial government," is built.

 

1939

The old stone gate at the hospital entrance is replaced by a brick gate, still standing today. 

Cottage 2 becomes a reception ward for the admission of incoming patients.  

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1940

The patient population increases to 1,348 patients and there are 296 staff members. 

 

1946 

Administration Building is altered to provide consultation offices for medical staff. 

 

1947                            

Dr. Martin A. Fischer introduces a new form of therapy through art. 

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1950

The hospital has 1,391 patients and a staff of 260. 

 

c.1958                         

Farming is discontinued – Teacher's College acquires the former McNeil farm and opens a campus at the corner of Lakeshore Boulevard West and Twenty-Third Street. 

Erection of a kitchen and new service building. Absorbed by this new construction is the original Centre Building, which contained the main kitchen, recreation rooms, storerooms, and bedrooms for the staff, as well as an old fire hall and the carpenter shop 

 

1959                            

Dr. H.C Moorehouse becomes the new superintendent and completely revitalizes the entire institution following the years marked by patient overcrowding, staff shortage, and constant lack of funding

Cafeteria is built.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October            

The hospital is reorganized into so-called "unit system," supposedly enabling the patient administration to be more effective with a 

concentrated treatment. As a result, the hospital operates as "a series of functionally autonomous units," as opposed to the old styled 

"traditional centralized organization."   

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1960 

Dr. Donald Ross Gunn becomes the Director of Clinical Research. 

Cumberland House is renovated to accommodate day and night care of the patients, and later a school for the patients of the Child and Adolescent Unit.  

There are 1,096 patients in the hospital's care with 514 staff members.

Patients with female nurses at the ladies's pavilion. Date unknown.

 

1963                       

Construction of R.C. Clark Filtration Plant takes place on the former farm of the 

hospital.

 

1964                            

The hospital is renamed again and becomes known as Lakeshore Psychiatric 

Hospital (LSPH). 

Central Trades Building is destroyed by fire. 

 

1966, July 20

Toronto Star reports that Joseph Armand Roy, a patient suffering from epilepsy, commits suicide by deliberately drowning in Lake Ontario. He is found face down in 3 feet of water, about feet 20 away from the shore.  

 

1967      

Dr. Donald Ross Gunn is appointed as the superintendent. 

February 6 

Dr. Gunn opens the new Child and Adolescent Unit in Cottage 5. All of its patients, labelled as suffering from "psychiatric and behavioural disorders", are required to attend a school located in the hospital inside the former superintendent's residence.  

 

1968                            

Construction of R.C. Clark Filtration Plant is completed. Moorehouse is erected by the Association of Volunteers. 

 

1970   

It is reported that the hospital has 545 patients and 729 staff members.     

March 21        

The hospital becomes accredited by the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation meaning that the conditions in the institution are 

reasonably good, despite the antiquated and the continually deteriorating buildings.  

 

c.1971 – 1972             

The activists of the Church of Scientology advocate against the use of lobotomy, electroconvulsive shock treatment, and drug therapy 

Not surprisingly, this action provokes public outcry.      

 

1971

Dr. Donald Ross Gunn crafts an ambitious "Five Year Program", attempting to usher the institution into a new era of psychiatric 

treatment. Its main objectives include: to totally reconstruct the physical plant of the hospital that would be contemporary hospital 

facilities, which would replace the antiquated cottage system; to organize a board of directors in order to become a public psychiatric 

hospital; to become a teaching hospital; to reduce the number of chronic patients, requiring long-term, continuous treatment, in order 

to become a fully active psychiatric hospital; to develop more adequate emergency and admitting services; to increase the scope of 

out-patient services; to improve existing partnerships with associated agencies and institutions and to create new ones; and to retain 

accreditation. Dr. Gunn's plan is never implemented.      

September 15  

Minister of Health, Bert Lawrence, and Lakeshore MPP, Patrick Lawlor, are presented with a petition signed by 600 citizens, who 

protest the treatment of patients at Lakeshore. The action is originated by an organization called the Mothers for Real Mental Health.   

 

1972 

R.C. Hansen, first non-medical superintendent, replaces Dr. Donald Ross Gunn, who retires. 

Teacher's College is acquired by Humber College.  

August              

Adveriser reports that patients Martha Morais and Nadia Machialovich commit suicide by deliberately drowning in Lake Ontario

 

1973, March 23          

A young female patient, whose identity is not revealed, is reported missing. The story soon leaks to the press.  

 

1973 - 1974 

Lakeshore Campus is opened by Humber College.  

 

Administration Building and a bridge over a swale. Date unknown.

1974 

Frank F. Morin becomes the new superintendent.

New Trades Building is erected.  

April 20 or 22   

Douglas Davis Harris dies mysteriously at the hospital; his death remains 

unexplained. 

 

1975                        

L.Wayne McKerrow is appointed as the superintendent.

The cottages are renamed, with new labels indicating the geographical area 

served. 

Rumours start to spread, which indicate that the hospital may close. 

 

1978

Joe McMullen becomes the last superintendent.

 

1979, January 22

The Honourable Dennis R. Timbrell, the Minister of Health, announces that due to its "sub-standard" facilities, Lakeshore will close. 

Instead, he promises an expansion of community-based, outpatient clinical programs that will replace the services of the hospital. 

August 15

The last of the 280-in patients are transferred to the Queen Street Mental Health Centre (QSMHC).  

September 1    

Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital officially closes and partly remerges with the QSMHC as a division. Most of the buildings are abandoned and quickly start to deteriorate. At the time of the closing, there are 280 in-patients and a staff of 675. Some patients are released and others are transferred to the QSMHC, Whitby and Hamilton Psychiatric Hospitals.  

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1983                

The first installment of the six-part film, Police Academy, is filmed on the grounds the former hospital.  

 

1984                            

Cumberland House is renovated and becomes the Jean Tweed Residence for women dealing with addictions.    

Mimico Branch Asylum, circa 1890.

 

                        1988           

The grounds of the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital are designated as a heritage property by the Province of Ontario under the Ontario Heritage Act

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1991                            

Humber College signs a 99-year lease on the buildings of the former hospital and begins to restore them. 

 

                                    1998, May 1                

Terry Leslie Frederick Parker, a former patient, is found not guilty of possession and cultivation of marijuana, by reason of medical necessity. He was first introduced to the herb at Lakeshore. He is Canada's first legal marijuana user.  

 

 

 

1999                            

A non-profit organization renovates the Gatehouse, opening a supportive centre for abused children.   

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2000                            

The sale of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery by the provincial government under the Conservative Party provokes outrage in the public, as the new owner, George Damiani, plans to build a chapel and a crematorium on the site.   

February 14     

Newly restored Assembly Hall is officially opened by the mayor Mel Lastman.

 

2001, May 31 - June 17

Opening celebration of the Assembly Hall. 

 

2004, May 29 and 30

Gatehouse and the Assembly Hall are featured during the event of the Doors Open Toronto.  

 

2005, May 21

A cemetery restoration event organized and led by Psychiatric Survivor Archives, Toronto and Ed Janiszewski, a former employee of the hospital. This originates the Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery Project.

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Copyright © 2009 Asylum by the Lake. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 05, 2009.