20th century Planning for the development of Allentown State Hospital began in 1901. Eleven years later, on October 3, 1912, it opened. The hospital cost $1,931,270 to build. The hospital's patient population peaked in 1950 with 2,012 patients. In November 1998, Allentown State Hospital was the first psychiatric hospital in the United States to be completely seclusion-free. Due in part to community
mental health efforts, the hospital's occupancy later fell to as low as 175 patients.
21st century Due to the sharp decline in the need for psychiatric hospitals, the
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare closed the hospital. Some residents were transferred to Wernersville State Hospital in
Berks County. Others were placed in residential care settings in the community. The hospital closed on December 17, 2010. The
Pennsylvania Department of General Services placed bids to demolish all the buildings on the property, including the historic main building, by the end of 2019. The property was purchased for the purpose of demolition by TCA Properties in
Doylestown. ==In popular culture==