Dark Side of the Holler

Dark Side of the Holler

Eerie Appalachia

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

A Home for the Disobedient

Waylon Graves's avatar
Waylon Graves
Feb 03, 2026
∙ Paid

Dead center in West by God Virginia, there’s a place I’d like to send a fair few loudmouths on X. Not to tour, but to stay awhile.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was built on hope. The mid-19th century idea that the mentally ill weren’t possessed or criminal, just people who needed help. Reform was in fashion. Asylums were going to be humane now. Mor…

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