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[Janice]

Big Ed -- Christmas Eve experience with Jesus 1, 2 and 3 -- pretty hilarious.

And you went down into the tunnels to make out, huh!!   I had no idea there were so many tunnels.  Do you think they just filled them in when they demolished Danvers?  How would they do that?

[Kadee]

(please don't hate me when I say this but my husband is part of the demo crew Danver) He told me they actually only dug out about 15 feet of tunnels going out from the buildings they took down while they took out the foundations.  They  just smashed ( oh that sounds so harsh-sorry) them in and then load out the old stone and brick.   According to my husband they left tons of the tunnels so as not to disturb the land around them.  He says many of them go way out into the woods and all over the property.
He also said he was amazed by the design of these tunnels, and the intricate brick work that stemmed out of them and throughout the walls of the buildings that was used as the steam vents  to all the rooms.  
You know most of the time he  just does his job and takes things down.  But when he  does a place like this it does really get him  down to destroy it.

[Janice]

Kadee -- I have seen pictuers of the tunnels and the brick work is very intricate.  Interesting that they didn't demolish a lot of the tunnels.

[GrimAngel]

well, hopefully someone can find the  time to go and dig a little and open the tunnels up for UE's to have a look.  sounds like it would be a neat place

[Big Ed]

What's to hate Kadee.  The place was a rotting mess.  For nostalgic reason I'm sorry they took it down.  But hey, I am so totally amazed the place didn't burn down since 1992.  It was a disaster waitnfg to happen.  I have my memories reasonably intact.

[RedDragon]

Wow absolutely amazing stuff. Post more.

[MrMotts]

Big Ed, thank you so much for sharing those stories, I find them very captivating... especially after being inside and seeing them in person, wondering what life was like before abandonment.

ps I stopped by Tewksbury once after a no sleep Danvers excursion, it's quite a beautiful place!

[Big Ed]

Thanks Mr Motts.  Between my dad and I we spent 50 years there.  He started at Danvers in 1948.  The tranquilizers were just coming into use  a few years after he started.  He worked the male violent ward J- 3 for many years on various shifts.  He described his times ther in the early days as rock em, sockem times.  Many times he'd come home from work with his uniform ripped and scratches he didn't have when he left the house.  He'd just say there had been some trouble.  My mom would find out how bad things were that night.  Dad  used to re enact the fights in his dreams.  More than once she picked up a bruise from pop fighting in his sleep.  There used to be a crew that worked on the violent ward that specialized in quelling disturbances.  At various times the were called  The Goon Platoon, Murder Incorporated, The Lollipop Squad, and The Pier Sixers ( he never liked that one)  They were big, strong, and good in a fight.  The were a real team, which is still the key to doing safe takedowns and restraints even though the tactics have evolved over the years.  Yes children we still do restrains these days althoughwe're working to decrease them daily.  I statred in Danvers in 1976.  We worked together a few times over the years, For the most part though we were on different wards He retired in 1989.  He had the best reputation of any state employee I've ever known.  Patients really liked him.  The people who worked with him over the years always said what a wonderful guy he was.  He knew his stuff that's for sure.  He was one who practiced the treat others as you'd like to be treated philosophy.  His favorite  line was when people bugged him was I'll be here long after your're a memory, and lifes to short to get upset about things.  Let's see what we can do to fix it.  I borrowed his nickname for this forum.

[invisiblechick83]

Wow, I really like your stories Big Ed, thanks a lot for sharing them.  I was in an institution with a history here in Canada a few years back and it really facinates me how things used to be in those places.

[Big Ed]

Invisiblechick,  thank you,  Thank you very much, Let me know if I go over the line Okay

[invisiblechick83]

I don't think there is a line you could step over Big Ed, :lol:

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again... I love your hospital stories. They are very fascinating!  As long as you're comfortable digging up these memories, I'm more than happy to read them! \/

[abandonedpa]

I'll concur with everyone else Big Ed, your stories are totally captivating. I enjoy every one of your posts. Very interesting and informative. Puts a lot of meaning to things I've seen in these places to hear words from people like you who roamed the halls while working at these places.

Thanks for sharing your life with us!

[Janice]

Big Ed:  It's one thing to admire a beautiful building from afar, but so much more important to hear about what went on inside.

It certainly gives me a different perspective about Danvers.

Thanks again.  Love hearing about your experiences.  Your father sounds like a great guy!

[bill door]

Big Ed, I totaly agree with the other comments on your posts. It is fascinating to hear first hand, unsensationalised accounts of how these places worked. Thanks and please add whatever you wish...

Also-

Dad used to re enact the fights in his dreams.

is one of the most moving things I've read on this forum.

[foxtrot_xray]

Big Ed - Like everyone else, many thanks for the stories. Like Janice said, it adds alot to the experience of walking thru a building when you know what went on there, and what it was like. Please, keep it up. I seriously doubt /anyone/ here will complain...!

His favorite line was when people bugged him was I'll be here long after your're a memory, and lifes to short to get upset about things. Let's see what we can do to fix it. I borrowed his nickname for this forum.

When one works around people admitted to a place like this, I can't think of a /better/ outlook on life, seriously..

Fox.