Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital in Marlboro, New Jersey (photograph via flickr)
Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital was a hospital in Marlboro, New Jersey which was run by the State of New Jersey. It first opened in the early 1930s. The hospital’s campus was about 400 acres set in a rural environment. The hospital closed in 1998 following a 1993 investigation by Richard Codey, during which he went undercover at the hospital and found rampant patient abuse, wasteful spending, and other illegal practices.
Since its 1998 closing, the abandoned hospital has become the focus of numerous local legends. An abandoned slaughterhouse on the property fueled legends of a murderous farmer. It was said that the farmer would lure you down “death row,” as he had to two slain hospital guards. Trespassing at the slaughterhouse became a frequent problem, and the township publicly stated that trespassers would be prosecuted. According to an issue of Weird New Jersey magazine, and the book “Convergence,” shadow people were often spotted in, or around, the slaughterhouse. The slaughterhouse was demolished in 2008.
The hospital buildings themselves are also said to be haunted, and security at the buildings has been tightened to deter trespassers. The property is slated for demolition. On January 17th, 2010 one of the buildings on the site had burned down. Teenagers are suspected of foul play.
Suggested by Michelle
