Did you ever drive by Henry Clay Ave. and Tchoupitoulas St. and wonder what was beyond the brick walls there? Well, now you know. That was the former site of a federal hospital, which was converted into the Mental Hospital for Adolescents in 1983. It remained in use until 2009. Now there are plans for Children’s Hospital to expand on the site, demolishing some old structures and reusing others. But the building still sits mostly unused at the river bend, making it a creepy-looking abandoned asylum in New Orleans.

The history of the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital at the Tchoupitoulas location goes back almost 80 years.

mca-llc.com The building was finished by 1931, when it was the United States Marine Hospital of New Orleans, dedicated to caring for injured or sick seamen in the United States Merchant Marines. This was actually the first publicly funded health care system in the United States.

This hospital site remained federally funded until 1981, when the state took over the site.

Flickr.com / Traveling Mermaid In 1983, the building became used as the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital (NOAH), where it remained in use until 2009. The hospital originally served adolescents and children with psychological and psychiatric needs, and after Katrina, began serving adults as well.

Major cuts to the state and city mental health care budgets made it impossible for the hospital to continue operating, and it closed in 2009.

roadtrippers.com Children’s Hospital, right across the street, bought the property and is now in the process of expanding their hospital onto the former NOAH grounds. One of the buildings is already in use by Children’s Hospital. Construction is said to begin within the next few months.

This huge complex with high brick walls always maintained the utmost privacy for its patients.

Flickr Few people know what really went on between the walls unless they were present there themselves. Some movies and TV shows have even been using the site for films.

What do you think of Children’s Hospital’s plan to renovate and reuse this abandoned asylum in New Orleans? Do you think they will keep the historic character intact? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. We love to hear your feedback!

mca-llc.com

The building was finished by 1931, when it was the United States Marine Hospital of New Orleans, dedicated to caring for injured or sick seamen in the United States Merchant Marines. This was actually the first publicly funded health care system in the United States.

Flickr.com / Traveling Mermaid

In 1983, the building became used as the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital (NOAH), where it remained in use until 2009. The hospital originally served adolescents and children with psychological and psychiatric needs, and after Katrina, began serving adults as well.

roadtrippers.com

Children’s Hospital, right across the street, bought the property and is now in the process of expanding their hospital onto the former NOAH grounds. One of the buildings is already in use by Children’s Hospital. Construction is said to begin within the next few months.

Flickr

Few people know what really went on between the walls unless they were present there themselves. Some movies and TV shows have even been using the site for films.

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