Livermore Sanitarium facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Livermore Sanitarium
The hydrotherapy building (1904) at the Livermore Sanitarium
Geography
Location	Livermore, California, United States
Coordinates	37°40′28″N 121°45′16″W / 37.67431810166208°N 121.75441466124317°W / 37.67431810166208; -121.75441466124317
Organization
Funding	For-profit hospital
Hospital type	Specialist
Services
Speciality	Psychiatry
History
Closed	1965

Livermore Sanitarium was a private sanitarium and psychiatric hospital, located in Livermore, California, in operation from 1894 until 1965. The facility specialized the treatment and research of mental disorders. During this time period the Livermore Valley was considered an ideal climate for optimizing one's health.

History

The Livermore Sanitarium was founded by Dr. John W. Robertson, he had previously worked at Napa State Hospital. The main facility building was the former William Mendenhall Estate on College Avenue in Livermore; previously owned by one of the founders of the town, William Martin Mendenhall [Wikidata] (1823–1911); and another facility building located next door was the former Livermore Collegiate Institute (also known as the Old Livermore College). In June 1909, the college building burned down and was rebuilt. The grounds had separate cabins for the patients.

In 1904, he built a hydro-sanitarium facility, for water-based treatments and therapy.

In 1912, a gym was built that included exercise equipment, a swimming pool, and a bowling alley - during this time period it was an unusual to find such amenities at a medical facility. In September of the same year a fire destroyed the engine house and laundry building of the sanitarium. The cost of damages from this incident totaled to about $15,000.

By 1920, there were 120 patients. In the 1960s, new medical approaches to psychiatry were discovered and popularity of this type of hospital declined.

The sanitarium closed in 1965. The building has since been demolished.

See also

• List of hospitals in California