Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
HAUNTED FM · LOCATION FILE 130
Weston · West Virginia · Prisons & hospitals
Weston State Hospital.jpg — Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant). CC BY-SA 2.5. Image source and credits. Displayed at reduced size; no content edits.
Ghost tour · Book ahead
A former psychiatric hospital featured on the state's paranormal trail.
Historical background
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (TALA) was a psychiatric hospital located in Weston, West Virginia, United States. Previously known by other names including the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane and Weston State Hospital, it was open to patients from 1864 until 1994. After its closure, patients were moved to the new William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital in Weston, named after William R. Sharpe Jr., a member of the West Virginia Senate. The hospital reopened as a tourist attraction in March 2008. Utilizing the Kirkbride Plan, the hospital was designed by architect Richard Snowden Andrews of Baltimore, Maryland. Construction of the hospital started in 1858 but was not completed until 1881.
Background excerpt: Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpted from the introduction; formatting simplified. Contributor history.
The story behind the stop
A ghost tour is a storytelling or investigation experience; its availability and format can change. Read the source account ↗
Plan your visit
Arrange an authorized visit before traveling. Confirm the date, meeting point, minimum age, accessibility, and photography rules with the operator. Some experiences are seasonal or limited to scheduled groups.
Use authorized tours and approved routes. These institutions hold histories of real people; avoid treating suffering as a prop or entering restricted areas.
Locate Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum on a map ↗
Prepared October 2, 2026. Opening hours, prices, access, and tour availability are not monitored in real time.
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