Lincoln Developmental Center

The Lincoln Developmental Center was a state school for people with developmental disabilities in Lincoln, Illinois. It was founded in 1877 as the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, became the Lincoln State School in 1954, and adopted its final name in 1975. It was closed in 2002 by Gov. George Ryan after reports of abuse, neglect and preventable deaths.[1][2]

According to historian David Bakke, "conditions at the Lincoln State School were horrible; overcrowded and understaffed. It was a community unto itself. The deaths of residents were not investigated, and their bodies were buried on the grounds".[3] According to Edwin Black, author of War Against the Weak,[4] milk from cows diseased with tuberculosis were willingly fed to the patient/residents.

Notable people incarcerated

Henry Darger, who made outsider art
John Doe No. 24, unidentified deaf man who spent 30 years at Lincoln
Frank Robert Giroux

References

"Historical Society looks back at the Lincoln State School with collection of LDC artifacts".
Behind Closed Doors: Lincoln, 10 years after LDC closure
Old Lincoln state mental facility still causes grief
Black, Edwin (2012). War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America's Campaign to Create a Master Race. ISBN 978-0914153290.

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[1] "Historical Society looks back at the Lincoln State School with collection of LDC artifacts".

[2] Behind Closed Doors: Lincoln, 10 years after LDC closure

[3] Old Lincoln state mental facility still causes grief

[4] Black, Edwin (2012). War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America's Campaign to Create a Master Race. ISBN 978-0914153290.