Taken by famed photographer Otto White on Jan. 25, 1923, this photo shows the first patient housing building built on the site of the Indiana Farm Colony for the Feeble-Minded, the Aitkenhead Colony, in the center and the second housing unit built, the Keller Colony, on the right. The first was named for William Aitkenhead, first treasurer of the board of trustees, and the latter was named for William P. Keller, president of the board. At that time, all roads in and around the facility were dirt and mud roads. Courtesy of Muscatatuck Museum

Staff Reports

BUTLERVILLE

A Muscatatuck facility in Butlerville turned 100 years old Dec. 15.

Although the first patients (or as they were called at the time, inmates) arrived at what was then called the Indiana Farm Colony for the Feeble-Minded on March 30, 1920, Indiana Gov. James P. Goodrich did not declare the facility open for business until Dec. 15, 1920.

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The facility has seen changes in treatment, personnel, philosophy and mission. For 85 years, it was one of the leading mental treatment facilities in the state, closing in 2005 and immediately reopening as the most realistic urban training site for military and first responders in the world, according to a news release from Master Sgt. Brad Staggs with the Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs Office.

Seven names have come with those changes:

1920 to 1930: Indiana Farm Colony for the Feeble-Minded

1930 to 1937: Muscatatuck Farm Colony

1937 to 1941: Muscatatuck Colony

1941 to 1971: Muscatatuck State School

1971 to 1985: Muscatatuck State Hospital and Training Center

1985 to 2005: Muscatatuck State Developmental Center

2005 to present: Muscatatuck Urban Training Center

An entire living, breathing city sprang up around and through the site, at one time holding more than 2,000 patients with several hundred on waiting lists to get in, Staggs said.

The site was self-sustaining with cattle, hog and chicken farms and several hundred acres of tillable land on which crops were grown. Records show many years of excess that could be sold after feeding the patients and staff.

A changing attitude toward those with special needs, new medications and new government mandates brought an end to the mental health facility following years of dwindling patient numbers, but a new focus was found when the Indiana National Guard was given control of Muscatatuck in June 2005.

The history of the facility is being archived and saved for former employees and future generations at the Muscatatuck Museum, housed on-site in Building 5208, formerly known as Tyler Hall.

The staff at the museum accepts donations of items of historical importance to the facility. During this time, tours of the museum are by appointment only by calling Staggs at 317-247-3300, ext. 41610, or Kathy Speer at 317-247-3300, ext. 41612.