The original site plan for the hospital is remarkably similar to that of today's current abandoned status.The site plan is described as forming two axes. One consisted of staff accommodations and administration,while the other consisted of patient-care facilities. The first axis was to include a Married Couples Dormitory that was never constructed, and several single family dwellings, five of which were constructed. There is also a tennis court and a baseball diamond to the northwest of the Male Dormitory. The second axis placed a Medical Building between chronic and acute care facilities where it could most easily serve both. The acute care building was not constructed until 1957. Two dormitories for disturbed patients were suppose to be built southeast of the mortuary but were never constructed. A farm group near the present Gaebler Children's Center including dormitories and a dairy barn was partially constructed, but are now gone. Most of the red brick Colonial Revival style buildings on the Metropolitan State Hospital property were designed by architect Gordon Robb, and many served as models for post-1930 construction at other campuses.

Building Identification