Built in the 1930s', Manteno state hospital was once the second largest such institution in the U.S. The facility was once home to thousands, thousands of which who were thrown out to the streets, transferred to other institutions, or placed in correctional facilities due to deinstitutionalization and state budget cuts of the 70s. This once thriving self supporting community is now used as the "Illinois Diversatech Campus Corporation" industrial park. The northern half was purchased in the mid 80s' and converted to an Illinois State Veterans home. The "IVH" and "IDC" have had many buildings demolished because of their lack of historical preservation awareness. Other buildings including cottages, and staff quarters were demolished and replaced with low-income housing.
Some of these links do not have web pages yet, this is because I do not have pictures for them yet.