30 Years Ago Binghamton’s Castle On the Hill Was Closed

You know someone is from the Binghamton area if you ask them about the 'Castle on the Hill', and they know exactly what you are talking about.

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It was originally named the New York State Inebriate Asylum from 1858 through 1879. After that time, the Castle on the Hill was the Binghamton Asylum for the Chronic Insane. Then in 1890, the name became the Binghamton State Hospital up until 1974 when the name changed to the Binghamton Psychiatric Center.

And it was on  April 22nd, 1993, 30 years ago that the 'Castle' closed it's doors for good, according to the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier. 

Check out: The Secrets & History Behind the Binghamton Inebriate Asylum 

Isaac Perry was the mastermind architect behind the design and building of this once magnificent structure that still stands large over the City of Binghamton. 30 years is a long time for a building to stand still with little or no work done to preserve it.

The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier, notes that it was 30 years ago when some stones fell off the façade dropping to the ground. The building was emptied and closed up. A fence surrounds the building to keep people from attempting to enter and risk injury or vandalizing the property.

There has been some work done over the years according to the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier, including some maintenance and heating during the colder months of the year, along with more security measures.

Hope is not lost, yet. The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier has taken steps recently to raise public awareness for concern over the future of the 'Castle on the Hill.'

It would be great to see this once magnificent building restored to it's former glory. After all, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. And for that, hopefully something will be done, before it's too late.

For more information about the Binghamton Psychiatric Hospital and the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier, click here.