THE WORLD'S MOST HAUNTED PLACES

THE JOSEPH P LADD CENTER, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND, USA

http://www.theladdschool.com/history/

HISTORY:

 Consisting of 10 buildings surrounded by mushy, isolated meadows with dispersed creature like trees, the Joseph P. Ladd Center is situated on a portion of 331 acre land in Exeter, Rhode Island. It is comprised of a recreational center that houses a theater, bowling alleys, cafeterias, kitchens, locker rooms, basketball courts and a swimming pool and a sub basement, as well as a six story cylinder shaped sanatorium equipped with a dental clinic, and x-ray clinic, padded cells, operating rooms and a morgue, dormitories, classroom buildings, a crematorium, a greenhouse and a community building. Dr. Walter Fernald proclaimed in 1893 that the more meager minded were those who would later become thieves, drunkards and hobos. In 1908 the center was built as a farm settlement to support the psychologically handicapped. The program was similar to those in other states, housing patients in small cottage surroundings and allowing them to work in a pastoral setting where they did mostly small errand, farming and manufactured clothing and household items.At this present stage it was known as the Rhode Island School for the Feeble Minded, as it housed those whom were regarded as mentally impeded and ones who failed to function in general in society. Cruel treatments like shock therapy, ice-bath therapy and lobotomies were carried out on the patients.

In 1909, after the boy's dormitory ran full, a girl's dormitory was erected.

The name was changed to the Exeter School in 1917.In 1928, following a decade of high congested enrollment, low funding and negligence, the school became a depot for society's refuse, and there were over 1 000 residents by the year 1980 until it was closed as a state establishment in 1993.

Remedial pools were constructed in 1970 with donated funds.

The school was webbed in a legal drama in 1986, and low makers tried to close it down following cases of child mistreatment, rape etc. Inmates were treated like animals and several bodies were found in the sewer system. Because of this torture that the patients went through, it left behind a diseased ground that carries a lot of pain and hatred for those who find themselves walking upon it

The center formally closed its doors for the last time in 1993, and since then the place became a sanctuary for psychic investigators and many bizarre phenomena has also since been reported and recorded. Many of these phenomena include specters on the outside ground, things that move by themselves and photographic anomalies. There were plans made to have it knocked down and converted into the Exeter Research and Technology Park. (Wonder if the RI Economic Development Corporation knows how haunted the place really is and that newly erected buildings doesn't stop ghosts from going around doing their business).

HAUNTINGS:

Hauling on floors above people that enter the Infirmary (or hospital building). Low moaning sounds, breathing and shuffling. These are all the sounds that can be heard throughout the building. The Ladd School has a very wretched ambiance to it. Cold chills. Thuds from above and below. Kids can be heard entering the building. On more than one occasion investigators have observed the red metal holders for the fire extinguishers start to rattle and shake. People experience the hair on the back of their necks standing up. On more than one occasion people had their cameras smacked out of their hands and on one occasion one person had been thrown back about 5 to 6 feet while endeavoring to take a picture.People often get the feeling of being watched or followed in the infirmary and recreational center. Observable phenomena are orbs, streaks and hazes of light. Car radios would mysteriously play even when turned off. Shadows would sneak up to you and disappear. Some doors will be locked on some nights and not on others, and it seems as if the buildings are toying around with their visitors.