The Former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Project

The Former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital

Annual meeting of the asylum superintendents, during which the new “cottage system” of asylums is discussed.

1884

Dr. Daniel Clark, the superintendent of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum, finds provincial farm in rural Mimico 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 Toronto Lunatic Asylum and to use the accumulated funds toward the construction of a branch in Mimico.

1885

Convinced by Dr. Clark, Kivas Tully, the 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 management of the asylums there. In August, O'Reilly continues his travels with the Honourable Provincial Secretary and together they and examine a number of newly built hospitals, including one in Middleton, Connecticut. Next, they order Tully to make a trip there obtain the plans and to research the ways in which the buildings are administrated.

c.1881 – 1890

Construction of the new branch asylum, using free patient labour, starts. Note: according to different historical sources, the dates could have also been as follows: 1883 -1890; and 1884 -1890. However, most historians agree that the erection of the buildings first took place in 1881 and ended in 1890.

1888

A group of ten male patients and two attendants came to make the institution ready for the new influx of patients.

They become the first residents of the new branch.

1889, January 21

Mimico Branch Asylum opens its doors for first 116 patients from Toronto; they are deemed as chronically and

incurably insane; the asylum has only 40 staff members and consists of three cottages and three general buildings,

connected to each other by underground tunnels.

1890 – 1894

Dr. John Beverly Murphy becomes the first superintendent

1891

A cemetery is designated, now located at Evans Road and Horner Avenue.

1892

Two cottages are added on both sides for "disturbed" patients. The Carriage House is built, known today as

William’s Coffee Pub (another source states it was built in 1900).

1893

The Gatehouse (originally called the entrance lodge) is built (other sources cite that it was built in 1910).

1894

Mimico Branch Asylum become an independent institution from the Toronto Lunatic Asylum and is renamed Mimico

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

community

October 10

Toronto Star reports that a patient named John Butler, 60, has escaped from the Mimico Asylum; he is described

as being "dressed in asylum clothes, weighted about 180 pounds, and wore a full round black beard."

1896

The oval cricket, located immediately south of the buildings, is created using patient labour; it is one of the finest

in the area. Superintendent's residence is constructed (later known as the Cumberland House, today it is used as

Jean Tweed Residence). Pavilions are built for male and female patients.

1898

The Assembly Hall is built, 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.

1901

Conservatory is built (currently non-existent, probably the 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 (lot 6).

1905

Cottage 2 is destroyed by fire.

1906

Cottage 2 is rebuilt.

1900

The asylum now consists of 10 cottages, housing 590 patients and a staff of 93.

1908

The first training nursing school 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, and

enlarged cellar with hot air furnace. A construction of a building for intensive care is requested. Planned to be built

in 1979, is never completed.

1910

The Gatehouse, the Incinerator, the Paint Shop, and a barn are built.

1912

A pumping house is built. The Lakehouse is built (located farther away from the hospital buildings, toward the lake,

used to house staff).

1920

The asylum is renamed Ontario Hospital, Mimico. A fire tower 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. She is described nothing short

of heroine.

1927

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

awarded $1.00 as a compensation.

1928

The Occupational Therapy Department is inaugurated

1930

The Power House is built (still standing south of the cottages, towards the lake). Root House (vegetable storage),

Laundry, and Nurses' Residence are constructed between 1930 - 1934. Administration Building is partially

renovated between 1930 - 1934 (turret removed). Carriage House is modified to store vehicles rather than horses;

divided into three sections.

1931

Due to severe overcrowding, an extension is built on 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 tunnels and used to transport food from the main kitchen) ceases to be

used 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.

1937

Insulin shock treatment starts to be administrated. Power House, 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 for new patients.

1946

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

1947

Dr. Martin A. Fischer introduces new art therapy.

1950

The Centre Building is demolished (used for laundry, main kitchen, recreation rooms, storerooms, and bedrooms for

the staff; possibly, also a morgue).

c.1958

Farming is discontinued – Humber Teacher’s College acquires the McNeil farm and opens at the corner of Lakeshore

Boulevard West and Twenty Third Street construction of a kitchen and new service building (the original centre

building is absorbed by the new construction).

1959

Dr. H.C Moorehouse becomes the new superintendent and completely revitalizes the entire institution. Cafeteria is built.

1959, October

The hospital is reorganized into the “Unit System,” supposedly enabling the patient administration more effective

and a concentrated treatment. Now, the asylum operates as “a series of functionally autonomous units,” as

opposed to old-styled “the traditional centralized organization”.

1960

Dr. Donald Ross Gunn becomes the Director of Clinical Research. Cumberland House is renovated to accommodate

patients' day and night care, and later a school.

1963 - 1966

Construction of R.C. Clark Filtration Plant begins on the former farm of the hospital.

1964

The asylum is renamed again as Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital (LSPH). The filtration plant is built on the former

farm of the hospital. Central Trades Building is destroyed by fire.

1967, February 6

The new Child and Adolescent Unit opens and all patients are required to attend a school located in the hospital.

They are labelled as suffering from “psychiatric and behavioural disorders”.

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.

March 21

Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital becomes accredited by the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation.

c.1971 – 1972

The activists of the Church of Scientology advocate against the use of lobotomy, electroconvulsive shock

treatment, and drug therapy at Lakeshore. Not quite surprisingly, this action provokes public outcry.

1971, September 15

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

persons, which protest the treatment of patients at Lakeshore. The action is originated by the organization called

the Mothers for Real Mental Health.

1972

Teacher's College is acquired by Humber College

August

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.

1974

New Trades Building is erected.

April 20 or 22

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

c. 1975

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

1979, January 22

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

Lakeshore Psychiatric will close. Instead, he promises an expansion of community based, outpatient

clinical programs that will replace the hospital's services.

1979, September 1

Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital closes and partly re-emerges with Queen Street Mental Health Centre. The buildings

are abandoned and become to deteriorate.

1983 – 1994

The first installment of the six-part film, Police Academy, is filmed at the former asylum.

1984

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

1988

The former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital grounds are designated as a heritage property by the provincial

government.

1991

Humber College takes over the buildings of the former asylum 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 marijuana at Lakeshore).

1999

Newly renovated Gatehouse is taken over by a non-profit organization, making it a centre for abused women and

children.

2000

The sale of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery by the provincial government led by the Conservative

Party provokes outrage in public, as the new owner, George Damiani, plans to build a chapel and a crematorium.

2000, 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 Doors Open Toronto.

2005, May 21

Cemetery restoration organized and led by Psychiatric Survivor Archives of Toronto and Ed Janiszewski.