This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: beauandkari Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.minnesota.counties.kandiyohi/691.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I presently work on the campus of the State Hospital. There does remain some psychiatric care that takes place. I work with the adolescents, and at least for the time being they will continue to be treated here. The adult units have been scheduled to be closed for some time now. But they are waiting for the state to build a new 16 bed community-based treatment facility in Willmar. Groundbreaking for this will begin quite soon, so adults will in the very near future cease to be treated on the Willmar campus of the Regional Treatment Center. The entire campus, which is quite beautiful, has been sold to MinnWest. They are currently converting in into a technology and research facility. Currently there are new businesses in the fields of animal research and agricultural based businesses locating there. The new sign just went up a couple of weeks ago now known as the "MinnWest Technology Campus." At one time this hospital "housed" (very little treatment happened back then) hundreds of patients and was staffed with approx. 150 people. They were very self-sufficient out there. They grew their own food and raised their own animals for food and milk. They had their own water tower and steam plant for producing heat. Both of these are no longer in use. There is a network of underground tunnels connecting each of the buildings. Kinda dark and spooky down there, but a little fun and exciting to see as well. The buildings are beautiful, at least on the outside. They look a bit like old Army barracks; beige stucco walls with red titled sloping roofs. Truly, this campus is beautiful. Many many trees with acres upon acres of green lawn. I currently work in one of these buildings that has had very few updates over the years. Modernization inside the buildings will be taking place as MinnWest slowly continues to add businesses to the campus. If you would be interested in seeing photos of the campus I would be happy to send you some. Do you know if your relative is interred at the cemetary there? They did put names on most of the graves in the recent past. Most were marked by just a number until then. If they are buried there I'd be happy to assist you in tracking down a burial site and taking photos for you if you wish. Let me know how I can be of help to you. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.