What You Can Do
Petition Governor Michael Rounds to support the protection and future use of the historic Human Services Center campus buildings.
11 Most Endangered
Human Services Center
Year Listed: 2009
Location: Yankton , South Dakota
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Demolition
Human Services Center
Historic view of the Human Services Center.
Human Services Center
The Meade Staircase at the Human Services Center.
Human Services Center
Human Services Center
Aerial view of the Human Services Center campus, circa 1935.
Human Services Center
The Human Services Center powerhouse, circa 1907.
Human Services Center
Patient Tug of War in front of the Meade Building, threatened with demolition.
Significance
The oldest public institution in the state, the Human Services Center – formerly the South Dakota Hospital for the Insane – played an important role in South Dakota history. It was here in the 1890's that Dr. Leonard Mead implemented his groundbreaking idea of creating an environment that would be therapeutically beneficial for patients instead of the sterile, fear-provoking asylums of the day. As he added buildings to the campus in the former territorial capital of Yankton, it became more New England college than prairie hospital. Surrounding a landscaped central park, the 65-acre campus, constructed between 1882 and 1942, featured neoclassical, Art Deco, Italianate, Prairie and Neo-Renaissance buildings, many constructed of South Dakota-quarried Sioux quartzite. Each building had sun-drenched dayrooms with columns and attractive architectural features, like Carrara marble and granite staircases. Today, more than 125 years after the institution was founded, the State is moving forward with plans to demolish many of the historic buildings on the Yankton campus.
In 1899, a fire at the hospital took the lives of 17 patients. In the aftermath, Dr. Mead ensured that all subsequent buildings were rock-solid – constructed of stone, with foot-thick walls, clay tile roofing and concrete for fireproofing. An amateur architect, Dr. Mead left his artistic mark in the wide porches, fan and Palladian windows, pedimented porticos, balustrades, bracketed eaves, arches, pillars, coffered ceilings and terrazzo floors that adorn the campus.
The collection of buildings on the Human Services Center (HSC) campus is both architecturally significant and representative of the style of treatment for the mentally ill between 1880 and 1940. Many patients spent their entire lives at the hospital, and, as a result, the majority of the endangered buildings once served as patient wards. The campus also includes barns and farm buildings where patients would engage in therapeutic activities such as growing vegetables.
Updates
April 2009: In the 1990s, the State determined that the HSC's historic buildings were no longer needed and constructed a new mental health facility on campus called the Mickelson Center. Since that time, many historic buildings have been left vacant - without even utility service or routine maintenance. Despite being neglected, the buildings have endured because of their solid construction.
In 2007, the South Dakota Joint Appropriations Committee voted to approve funds to begin demolition of selected historic buildings on the HSC campus, but budget constraints resulted in a temporary reprieve. The continuing economic downturn prevented a similar appropriation in 2008, but a future ask will more than likely be made and could be approved.
Share your memories of this endangered place
Submitted by CAN at: November 30, 2009
The November 1, 2009 open house at the Mead Building on the Human Services Center Campus had nearly 1,000 people attend after the final count was tallied. Members of the Yankton County Historical Society, in charge of the rehabilitation project at Mead, were overwhelmed with the support and thank everyone that was able to make it that day.
Submitted by MB at: November 2, 2009
Cool i'm from Yankton and it makes me proud to see that they will be saving a beautiful building of this quality. i went on a tour there yesterday and it was definitely deteriorating but not past the point of saving. it was truly a beautiful building and i will definitely tour it again if the chance is presented. there was a good turn out yesterday so there is definitely people interested in saving it. i bet the was at least 200 people that came to see it.
Submitted by TR at: October 19, 2009
I know much of what we writed is not gonna make a diffrence. But these are all voices that care of a very historical and for some memorable land mark At the age of 31 i have no memory or connection but, this place has stories and the remarkable art and talent that was put in to this building its a shame anyone would want to destroy it. This building can still be restored along with many that already have in Yankton. And put it to good use of the people who enjoy the art life brings. it will cost to restore it but with donations and when it's finish it can be used for tours . Some parts can be taxable. The history of Yankton is incrediable but if the land marks keep being destroyed , all the history is gone. Why are our kids learning the history , because its an important part in life that brought us to where we are now. If history is destroyed what is there to learn. Destroying history tells me its not important to you so why should it be to my kids or any others.
Submitted by DJ at: October 6, 2009
Looks like this would make an excellant college campus. It already has the historic buildings like many IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS!!! They should go green and restore rather than destroy!!!
Submitted by J at: September 23, 2009
My first experience with the facility was as a highschool student in a nearby town in the late 70's. A small number of us were allowed to tour some of the buildings which included active patient units. I clearly recall the large marble staircases and a specific column that had a worn groove around it. The story told to us was that was from a restraint that held a particularly aggressive patient over many years. (Times have changed.) My second experience of the facility was as a medical student doing an 8 week rotation. By then some of the buildings were no longer being used. I was recently passing through the area and decided to drive through the old campus and I am still struck by the significance of the old buildings. It makes me somewhat sad to think that some of this cannot be preserved. It certainly would be an interesting attraction to the area if handled correctly.
Submitted by Anonymous at: August 18, 2009
This stuff makes me sick. You will never again find the craftsmanship of this time period. It's gone. The same thing happened to Penn Station in New York. Most of that pillars and gorgeous statues ended up in swamps outside the city. I don't understand the thinking in not preserving these works of art.
Submitted by M at: August 4, 2009
My sibling did a mental health rotation at this facility in the mid- 1960's. I recall going to the facility with my mother to pick-up my sibling for a weekend trip home. Listening to the stories on the way home was a bit haunting. Later in life this facility would assist our family with another family member's mental illness. Mental illness touches a family in a profound and biting way and I believe mental illness is still misunderstood. After dropping off my sibling at the conclusion of our weekend visit I recall looking back at the gates as they closed behind us. Even at a young age I realized that I was able to leave and that so many we unable to leave.
Submitted by Anonymous at: July 21, 2009
An architecturally similar structure (and fellow former state mental hospital) in Northern Michigan has undergone an extremely successful renovation and is now a thriving business/residential community. Check it out at http://www.thevillagetc.com/
Submitted by sfjkbgs at: May 18, 2009
Why the hek should we save it
Submitted by sombody at: May 18, 2009
its rele rele cool