Austin State Hospital, formerly known as the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, is a 299-bed psychiatric hospital located in Austin, Texas. It is the oldest psychiatric facility in the state of Texas, and the first hospital of its kind built west of the Mississippi River.HistoryThe hospital was established by the Legislature in 1856, and began operating in 1861 with twelve patients.The name was changed in 1925. It's currently operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.The Hospital is the subject of a history by Sarah C. Sitton, Life at the Texas State Lunatic Asylum 1857 - 1997, published by the Texas A&M University Press in 1999 as Number 82 in the Centennial Series.Austin State Hospital's Volunteer Services Council (VSC) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. The VSC conducts fundraiser and donation programs and helps build community awareness about mental illness and the role of Austin State Hospital in the treatment of mental illness.
