If you ever think of old mental hospitals or asylums, this might be how you picture them.
Kirkbride Buildings Information website with lots of great photos.
The reason that many looked this way is not a coincidence. This was a very specific and intentional design. There were often placed on large expansive grounds, well outside of a suburban area. The buildings were very detailed to provide a very respectable look and feeling. The structures consisted of 2 main wings on each side of a central administration area, this allowed maximum exposure to each room for light and air. It also allowed for the greatest separation of patients by gender and severity of illness.
These buildings have always been fascinating, just to think of all the folks that passed through the walls of these buildings.
Photos are from www.kirkbridebuildings.com used with permission.