Fergus Falls State Hospital Papers
Originally commissioned in 1885 by the State of Minnesota as the Third State Asylum for the Mentally Ill, the Fergus Falls State Hospital/Regional Treatment Center received its first patients in 1890. The facility was self-sufficient with its own farm, food service, laundry, workshops and power plant. The institution served 17 counties in northwestern and west central Minnesota, with the patient census reaching an all-time high of 2,078 in 1937, The regional treatment center was one of the first multi-purpose campuses, serving those with developmental disabilities, chemical dependency as well as psychiatric illnesses. For the past two decades patients have been moved to smaller community based facilities, and in 2007 the campus buildings were sold to the City of Fergus Falls.
Selected historical records of the Fergus Falls State Hospital/Regional Treatment Center are preserved in the Minnesota State Archives, and with a few exceptions, are available for public use.
June 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
This is a great find! I my family has some history with this institution. Thank you! ~C.
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August 5th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I am looking for information regarding my great grandfather who was a patient here. His last name was Norman, I think his first name is spelled Alois. I know he was there in the 196o’s. Thank You
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August 6th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hi Christine. I will forward your request to our Reference Department; hopefully they will be able to help.
Thanks!
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August 6th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hello! Could you have the Reference Department make contact with Jeanette Servin of the Dassel area Historical Society @ ? We are trying to locate information about my g-g-grandma who resided there in the years between Sept. 1898-1904. Her name was Mary Anderson, a widow who eventually contracted TB before passing away there.
Thank you sincerely, ~Christine Taylor.
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September 8th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hello,
Are there any existing records from the 1940’s?
I’m looking for anything on Alveretta Holes who died there (I believe) in 1947.
Thanks,
Todd
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October 9th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Hello,
Belle Smith, imate, f. w. 58, wd, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, Danish. Was found in the 1910 census of Furgus Falls State Hospital. Is there any more information on her, birth place, parent’s name, death date.
Thank you for your time and effort in answering this request.
Jacklynn Nelson
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January 28th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
How can I find out more about a patient that was there in the late 50’s early 60’s. My Great-grandfather was there for almost 4 years until his death on 12-31-1962. His name was Alex Akren
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March 31st, 2009 at 8:26 am
My Grandfather, Morris Morton, worked at the Fergus Falls Treatment Center for a short period around 1905. Can I get some documention to verify this please?
Daniel Borden,
Canada
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April 26th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Hello,
My Great-Grandfater, Hiram L. Cooke, was a nurse at Fergus Falls circa 1895-1904. I would be interested in verifying this information and in particular locating a picture of him as I have no pictures of my grandparents or great-grandparents. Thank you, Jeanne Benecke, Minneapolis
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May 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I am looking for all patients records if possible in connection with information about my grandfather who was a patient there as well as at Moose Lake State Hosptial. His name was Alexander Pederson he passed away October 1952.
I would apprectiate your help greatly.
Thank you.
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May 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am
The State Archives collection of the Minnesota Historical Society preserves selected patient records (admission and discharge registers, commitment papers, case books), and selected employee records (time records, payrolls) that are useful to determine whether or not a specific person was a patient at the hospital, or was an employee of the hospital. Most, but not all, of the records date from about 1890 to 1998. For research assistance please contact the Society’s Reference Department at 651.259.3300 or reference@mnhs.org. Thank you.
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October 18th, 2009 at 9:57 am
In the 1920 Federal census Margaret (Berrigan)LeVitre was listed as an inmate at the Fergus Falls State Hospital. Are commitment and release records available for Margaret, along with any dignosis or related papers?
She was again committed 16 Sept. 1927 and died there on 12 Oct 1927. If possible, I would be interested in the cause of her death. She was my grand-aunt the sister of my Grandmother.
Were their any survivors listed?
With appreciation.
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Charles Rodgers reply on October 19th, 2009:
The State Archives collection of the Minnesota Historical Society preserves several Fergus Falls State Hospital records that may answer you specific questions. The records include commitment papers, admission and discharge registers, and patient case books; all of the records are dated 1890-1967. I recommend you check the Library’s on-line research service for state hospital records available at: http://shop.mnhs.org/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=2323.
Also, you may contact the Society’s Library staff at 651.259.3300 or reference@mnhs.org for further assistance. Good luck with you research!
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