There was a record in an old Superintendent's Report of an old underground vault that was built around 1896 especially for keeping hospital archives. Here is a description of it:
"Fireproof Vault; The vault is 9 x 12 feet and 14 feet high. From a foot below the ground to the floor is solid stone and cement, with a cement floor. The walls and roof are of brick 20 1/2 inches thick and have on their center a 2 inch air column. The roof is supported by railroad iron and the entrance is through a massive double vault door the original cost of which was $1,250."
It provides a breakdown of costs, and then says, "We now feel that the archives of the hospital deposited in the vault are perfectly safe in case of fire."
There was a box containing mementos placed under a capstone when the asylum was built. Was this ever found? Where was the original cemetery? There are several burial areas outside the main cemetery, but the location of the original cemetery remains unknown. It is common knowledge that there are likely remains South of North Street, possibly under both North and 21st Streets, in a small cemetery west of the Ag. Bldg., and likely near the railroad tracks in the NW corner of hospital property. Any information on any of these would be appreciated.
Where is the original 500 lb "Nevada Insane Asylum" sign that was made by Reno Foundry and Machine Works? Does anyone have a photo of that original sign? Does anyone know where that sign is today?
Where is the tunnel? Is it used today?
Nevada State Journal, Sunday Feb. 8, 1958, pages four and five. Article by Frank Johnson. On page four are photos of the old fashioned kitchen, and a hairdressers' room. Page five has a photo of the useless marble hydrotherapy unit, not useable due to low water pressure, a photo of the beds in a ward, and a photo of the sub-surface passage that runs under the State Hospital's employees' quarters used for food delivery.
Tunnel - NSJ 2-8-1953
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