This stately brick home was built in the 1860’s in what was then the outskirts of Shelbyville, Indiana. In 1906 the son of a local judge opened this home as a hospital for the treatment of those with addictions.
The Hord Sanitarium building as it is today
View in 1906 Postcard from The Indiana Album
Back of postcard from The Indiana Album
Dr. Luther Hord operated The Hord Sanitarium Park from 1906 until well into the 1940’s. The Hord Sanitarium was known throughout the Midwest as one of the premier hospitals for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. Currently it appears that the multistory house is being used as apartments.
Roadtirement 
It’s crazy beautiful.
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Amazing there was drug and alcohol abuse in the early 20th century.
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I think as long as there has been alcohol around, there have been some who abuse it.
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There has been since men crushed grapes 👍🏾
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That’s a beautiful home, the architecture is great!
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A beauty of a solid old brick!
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Wow! So glad the man had the foresight to do that for others!!!
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He helped people for over four decades.
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I remember back in probably late 80’s to early 90’s there was a Hord Foundation. They still around?
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There is a Hord Foundation from Danbury CT that provides college scholarships, but not connected to the Hord Sanitarium family. This facility closed in the 1940’s.
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Don’t let anyone talk you in staying there overnight…
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LOL…. point well taken!
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Curious… why do you say that?
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Important history
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I too found it interesting that it was opened in the early 1900’s. I thought then that people just tolerated those who were alcoholics – like Otis on the Andy Griffith show.
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I have seen references to the Hord Sanitarium being utilized by the “rich and famous” for secret treatments.
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Pretty architecture.
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Beautiful old house with an interesting history.
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I’m sure that at least some addicts were helped in this interesting building, though methods were pretty basic in those days.
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Will have 20 years clean and sober next month, March 3.
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Congratulations Carl. Blessings, sir!
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This would be a great place to come and clear the mind and body after the throws of addiction has brought one to their knees. Too bad it’s not a treatment facility or sober living now.
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My sister and her family have lived here almost 25 years. My sister and her husband moved in right after they were married. That was the same year I graduated college. I moved in the top floor and lived there for several years. Besides my time living on the third floor, it has been a single family dwelling since they moved in. The house is so beautiful inside. There has been a lot of diy restoration. My sister has done a wonderful job of honoring its history. It’s pretty amazing.
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Thank you for sharing your neat history!
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My father’s family lived there. They purchased the house after Dr. Hord killed himself. My Dad’s mother was Flora Popplewell and his father was Otha Lee Stephen’s Sr. They owned the land around it and gradually sold it.
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Nice history, Charlotte. thanks for sharing.
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