The Ridges: A Brief History of the Athens Asylum

This mini-documentary tells the story of the Athens Asylum, also known as The Ridges, a former psychiatric hospital that is now a popular tourist destination. The video covers the asylum's history, from its opening in the late 19th century to its closure in the early 1990s. It also discusses the asylum's unique architecture and its reputation for being haunted.

[@Yahaha.Youfoundme]

Love this one!

[@TravelwithAustin]

Wow thank you so much!

[@melz6019]

I replied on the Facebook post where you shared the link. My 2nd great grandfather was a patient here in 1948. He passed away a few days after being admitted. Thank you. This is very informative.

[@zacwhite1368]

Omg thank you youtube!! I’m only 46 mins from there I dont think I’ve ever heard of the asylum or I’ve forgotten cause I’m so into stuff like this! I’m probably going to binge watch some of your other videos now 🤣despite I was going to go to bed. This is so interesting because some of my ancestors lived down near there like carbon hill etc.

[@eckankar7756]

I lived in Athens County as a child in the 1950s and early 1960s. We lived on a dirt and gravel road, had no plumbing, a Coal stove for heat, outhouse out the back door, across the yard and down the hill. Over the nears, now and then, maybe 50 times that I recall my grandmother would suddenly say, "they're coming, get ready, get on the porch, they're on their way." She'd comb her hair, put her teeth in, some lipstick and compact and we'd quickly get to the porch swing and look at the empty road.
Soon, we'd hear men talking, kicking up rocks on the road as they walked. There would be about 30 Civil War Soldiers walking down the hill by our house, behind the barn and up over the next hill out of sight. All in blue uniforms, shot up, dirty, rips and holes, some had guns, most didn't. They walked slowly, some in groups talking to each other but we couldn't make out what they said. Some walking alone, some straggling. Every time we saw them it was the same groups, same stragglers. I was a kid and sometimes I'd run up to them wanting to play. They looked like teen agers or a bit older, dirty, not noticing me, I could see up close the holes in their uniforms. They'd walk on and disappear over the next hill and my grandmother and I'd go in the house. How she would know they were coming I don't know.
Here is my link to my recording of this happening. th-cam.com/video/Tubg2FIKSeo/w-d-xo.html

[@urbexcult2264]

Very informative. Thank you for documenting this place

[@SukoYote]

Even if Scariest Places on Earth wasn't accurate, it was a really good show that did a great job at getting your fear levels raised. Especially those Chillingham Castle episodes.

[@alexwhite2390]

Good video. Lots to learn about this place

[@meleepinata]

Several old asylums do/did have tunnels connecting the buildings of the campus.

[@katiesimmonds4873]

Most multi-buildings asylums do, in fact, had tunnels connecting the buildings.

[@cliffordkiener8183]

The people that go to school there are taught that The ridges were there before the college. OU was founded in 1804

[@1313simsclub]

Wow