Fairview Training Center
I’ve been dying to check this place out for a couple of years. I had been a little afraid to because of all of the haunted things I’ve heard and read about it. There have been construction workers there lately so I figured if I didn’t just go soon I wouldn’t get the chance to.
The History
The Fairview Training Center was established in 1907 for people with developmental disabilities. Upon it’s opening it was called The State Institution for the Feeble-Minded. The hospital opened in 1908 and housed patients that were transferred from the Oregon State Hospital for the Insane.
When established it was meant to be an education center for the Feeble Minded or people with intellectual disabilities and other developmental delays. It was a 670-acre compound that included an administration building, a dorm, laundry and a boiler house.
The year 1917, a commitment law was passed to ensure that enough space was kept for the “Feeble Mined” and not criminally insane. As well as a law putting the admission age limit to five and older. That age limit was removed in 1921.
It was in 1923 that the Eugenics law was passed stating that they would start sterilizing all of the Feeble Minded, insane, epileptics, insane criminals, morel degenerates and sexual perverts. sterilization required either a court order or the person doing it voluntarily. It was in 1931 that parole was established for residents. All parolees had to be sterilized before being paroled. Two-thirds of patients sterilized were paroled opening more beds for more patients.
Changes and improvements continued through the 1940’s and 60’s. The named changed twice, once to Oregon Fairview Home, and then to Fairview Hospital and Training Center. Changes were made through the 70’s the farming ending.
In 2000 Fairview Training Center was closed. In its time open there were 2,600 forced sterilizations including hysterectomies, tubal ligations, vasectomies as well as castrations. The requirements for being discharged clear up into the 70’s. In 2002 Oregon’s Governor issued a formal apology for these horrible human rights violations as well as other abuses that went on there.
The Present
Today there are only a few buildings left standing. It seems as though they are getting ready to tear those down. This is an incredible part of history and I’m so glad I got to see it in person before it is gone. I will not be posting a map for this location. Thanks for understanding.
