<description>&lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2118" src="https://mikedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traverse_City_State_Hospital_postcard_circa_1930.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://mikedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traverse_City_State_Hospital_postcard_circa_1930.jpg 500w, https://mikedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traverse_City_State_Hospital_postcard_circa_1930-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /&gt;In this episode, Mike dives into the deep and fascinating history of one of Traverse City’s most iconic landmarks: the &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Traverse City State Hospital&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;, also known historically as the &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Northern Michigan Asylum&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and the &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Recorded on &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;November 28, 2025&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (yes, Black Friday—no, he’s not out shopping), Mike shares personal stories, local history, and some memories connected to the vast and beautiful grounds of what is now called the &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Village at Grand Traverse Commons&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Mike Covers in This Episode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f3e5; A Brief History of the State Hospital&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Established in &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;1881&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and opened in &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;1885&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Founded by &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. James Decker Munson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;, namesake of Munson Healthcare, alongside Traverse City’s “father,” &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perry Hanna&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Built as a &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kirkbride Plan&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; psychiatric hospital—one of four in Michigan and the only one still standing and in active use today (though no longer as a hospital).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f3db;&amp;#xfe0f; Architecture &amp;amp; Design&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Beautiful &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Victorian-style&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; buildings with spires, long wings, wide porches, and landscaped grounds.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Built on the idea of &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;beauty, light, and nature&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; aiding psychiatric healing.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Gorgeous gardens supported by on-site greenhouses that provided year-round flowers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f333; A Self-Sustaining Community&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;The hospital operated as its own little world:&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Farms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; with cattle, pigs, chickens, crops, and orchards&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Their own &lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;power plant&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Workshops and barns (now part of &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Historic Barns Park&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Many patients (or “clients,” as some staff called them) worked on the grounds as part of daily life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f468;&amp;#x200d;&amp;#x2695;&amp;#xfe0f; Mike’s Personal Connections&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Both of Mike’s paternal grandparents worked there—his grandmother as an RN and his grandfather as an orderly.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;He shares memories of neighbors and relatives who worked on the hospital farm and grounds.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;He also reminisces about staying as a kid in the &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perry Hanna House&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (now a funeral home)—a mansion connected to the founders of the hospital.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f3da;&amp;#xfe0f; Abandonment and Renewal&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;After closing in the late 20th century, some buildings fell into disrepair.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Today, &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Building 50&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; has been reborn with:&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Condos and apartments&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Offices&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Shops, galleries, and restaurants in the lower level, known as &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Grotto&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Other “cottages” are slowly being restored, while tours still visit the untouched and eerie sections.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f6b6; Ghost Stories, Tunnels &amp;amp; Tours&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;The site is rich with lore—including tunnels connecting buildings.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Mike mentions wanting to have his friend Chris (a local historian and photographer) on the podcast to go deeper into the legends, stories, and details.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x2615; Coffee Deliveries at Sunrise&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Mike also shares a personal memory of delivering bagels to &lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Cup of Joe&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; in Building 50’s grotto back when his wife ran a bagel shop—always grabbing a cup of coffee around 5:30 a.m.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f304; A Landmark on the Hill&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;As you drive into Traverse City from the south (US-31 / M-37), the spires of Building 50 rise out of the trees—a recognizable introduction to town.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;#x1f399;&amp;#xfe0f; Coming Up&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;November 29:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; “Why Podcasting Is So Special”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;b&gt;November 30:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt; A special final NaPodPoMo episode to close out the month&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;Thanks for listening, and catch Mike tomorrow for more!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; </description>

Mike Dell's World

Mike Dell

Traverse City State Hospital

NOV 28, 202511 MIN
Mike Dell's World

Traverse City State Hospital

NOV 28, 202511 MIN

Description

<p class="p1"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2118" src="https://mikedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traverse_City_State_Hospital_postcard_circa_1930.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://mikedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traverse_City_State_Hospital_postcard_circa_1930.jpg 500w, https://mikedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traverse_City_State_Hospital_postcard_circa_1930-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />In this episode, Mike dives into the deep and fascinating history of one of Traverse City’s most iconic landmarks: the <span class="s1"><b>Traverse City State Hospital</b></span>, also known historically as the <span class="s1"><b>Northern Michigan Asylum</b></span> and the <span class="s1"><b>Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital</b></span>.</p> <p class="p1">Recorded on <span class="s1"><b>November 28, 2025</b></span> (yes, Black Friday—no, he’s not out shopping), Mike shares personal stories, local history, and some memories connected to the vast and beautiful grounds of what is now called the <span class="s1"><b>Village at Grand Traverse Commons</b></span>.</p> <h2><b>What Mike Covers in This Episode</b></h2> <h3><b>&#x1f3e5; A Brief History of the State Hospital</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">Established in <span class="s1"><b>1881</b></span> and opened in <span class="s1"><b>1885</b></span>.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Founded by <span class="s1"><b>Dr. James Decker Munson</b></span>, namesake of Munson Healthcare, alongside Traverse City’s “father,” <span class="s1"><b>Perry Hanna</b></span>.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Built as a <span class="s1"><b>Kirkbride Plan</b></span> psychiatric hospital—one of four in Michigan and the only one still standing and in active use today (though no longer as a hospital).</p> </li> </ul> <h3><b>&#x1f3db;&#xfe0f; Architecture &amp; Design</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">Beautiful <span class="s1"><b>Victorian-style</b></span> buildings with spires, long wings, wide porches, and landscaped grounds.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Built on the idea of <span class="s1"><b>beauty, light, and nature</b></span> aiding psychiatric healing.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Gorgeous gardens supported by on-site greenhouses that provided year-round flowers.</p> </li> </ul> <h3><b>&#x1f333; A Self-Sustaining Community</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">The hospital operated as its own little world:</p> <ul> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Farms</b></span> with cattle, pigs, chickens, crops, and orchards</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Their own </span><b>power plant</b><b></b></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Workshops and barns (now part of <span class="s1"><b>Historic Barns Park</b></span>)</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Many patients (or “clients,” as some staff called them) worked on the grounds as part of daily life.</p> </li> </ul> <h3><b>&#x1f468;&#x200d;&#x2695;&#xfe0f; Mike’s Personal Connections</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">Both of Mike’s paternal grandparents worked there—his grandmother as an RN and his grandfather as an orderly.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">He shares memories of neighbors and relatives who worked on the hospital farm and grounds.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">He also reminisces about staying as a kid in the <span class="s1"><b>Perry Hanna House</b></span> (now a funeral home)—a mansion connected to the founders of the hospital.</p> </li> </ul> <h3><b>&#x1f3da;&#xfe0f; Abandonment and Renewal</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">After closing in the late 20th century, some buildings fell into disrepair.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Today, <span class="s1"><b>Building 50</b></span> has been reborn with:</p> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">Condos and apartments</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Offices</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Shops, galleries, and restaurants in the lower level, known as <span class="s1"><b>The Grotto</b></span></p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Other “cottages” are slowly being restored, while tours still visit the untouched and eerie sections.</p> </li> </ul> <h3><b>&#x1f6b6; Ghost Stories, Tunnels &amp; Tours</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">The site is rich with lore—including tunnels connecting buildings.</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Mike mentions wanting to have his friend Chris (a local historian and photographer) on the podcast to go deeper into the legends, stories, and details.</p> </li> </ul> <h3><b>&#x2615; Coffee Deliveries at Sunrise</b></h3> <p class="p1">Mike also shares a personal memory of delivering bagels to <span class="s1"><b>Cup of Joe</b></span> in Building 50’s grotto back when his wife ran a bagel shop—always grabbing a cup of coffee around 5:30 a.m.</p> <h3><b>&#x1f304; A Landmark on the Hill</b></h3> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">As you drive into Traverse City from the south (US-31 / M-37), the spires of Building 50 rise out of the trees—a recognizable introduction to town.</p> </li> </ul> <h2><b>&#x1f399;&#xfe0f; Coming Up</b></h2> <ul> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>November 29:</b></span> “Why Podcasting Is So Special”</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>November 30:</b></span> A special final NaPodPoMo episode to close out the month</p> </li> </ul> <p class="p1">Thanks for listening, and catch Mike tomorrow for more!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>