Babcock Building, South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, Columbia

The Babcock Building is a significant historical structure that highlights the evolution of mental health treatment in the United States. In 1821, South Carolina became the second state to allocate funds for the treatment of mental illness and the education of the deaf and dumb, approving the construction of the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum. Designed by architect Robert Mills, construction of the Mills Building began in 1822, and the asylum admitted its first patient in 1828. However, the need for additional space due to a growing population led to the construction of the Babcock Building almost thirty years later.

The Babcock Building's initial design was created by George E. Walker, but only the south wing was completed at first. Subsequent architectural contributions included Gustavus T. Berg for the north wing and Samuel Sloan for the central building, which connected both wings. The construction process faced numerous delays, resulting in a protracted four-phase development that spanned nearly three decades. By 1885, the Babcock Building finally began accepting patients, marking a significant expansion in the asylum’s capacity.

Architecturally, the Babcock Building is notable for its Italian Renaissance Revival style, featuring a four-story central structure with a prominent cupola, flanked by north and south wings designated for male and female patients, respectively. The building was adorned with wood floors and trim, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The central structure housed operating rooms on the second floor, residential spaces for the Supervisor and some doctors on the third and fourth floors, and dining halls for patients. Originally, each ward floor contained individual patient rooms, although renovations beginning in 1915 altered some of these layouts.

The historical importance of the Babcock Building was recognized in 1981 when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Despite its later abandonment in the 1990s, the Babcock Building remains a significant landmark, reflecting both the architectural heritage and the evolving approaches to mental health care in the United States.