Agnews: A Century of Service

Marker One:

For over a century, Agnews Hospital cared for those with mental illness and developmental disabilities. Established by an act of the legislature in 1885 as an asylum for the “insane,” its focus changed within a few years. When the 1906 earthquake destroyed the asylum’s buildings, it was rebuilt following an innovative plan that incorporated light and air into the patients’ treatment. Patients were housed in cottage-like settings with the focus on returning to the community.

Until the 1960s, people with mental illness and developmental disabilities were often confined in institutions separate from society. Agnews’ focus changed again when it was recognized that they could successfully treat mentally ill people, and that they could train developmentally challenged people to lead productive lives. From the 1970s until its closure in the mid 1990s, Agnews treated only people with developmental disabilities.

Agnews was “home to thousands over the years who…benefited from the care of a staff dedicated to serving their…needs.”

President Ronald Reagan, January 6, 1988.

Inset Images:

Aerial view of the campus circa 1930s

Courtesy of the California State Archives

When, circa 1896, the state opened the California Hospital for the Chronic Insane, these were the original buildings- two wards with the administration building in the center.

From Sunshine, Fruit and Flowers, Santa Clara County. 1896. Mary Hamel and City of Santa Clara Library.

Architect’s drawing of new post-earthquake main building

Courtesy of the California State Architect’s Office

Marker Two:

Agnews Through Time: 1885-2003

1876 – South Pacific Coast RR Station constructed on four acres of land donated by Abram Agnew.

1885 – The State establishes the California Hospital for the Chronic Insane on land purchased from A. Agnew.

1888 – Agnews admits the first 75 individuals from Napa State Hospital on October 30th, followed by 200 patients from Stockton State Hospital on November 26th.

1888-1889 Superintendent MacFarlane, M.D.

1889 – A small settlement had grown up, but it wasn’t until June 1889 that A. Agnew officially filed his map of “The Town of Agnew.”

1889-1889 Superintendent Pratt, M.D.

1889-1897 Superintendent Hatch, M.D.

1897 – State changes the name to Agnews State Hospital.

1897-1899 Superintendent Sponogle, M.D.

1899-1902 Superintendent Crane, M.D.

1903 – Leonard Stocking becomes Superintendent, serving until 1931.

1903-1931 Superintendent Stocking, M.D.

1906 - The earthquake of April 18 completely destroys the facility and results in the death of 117 patients and staff.

1911 - Agnew’s rebuild is completed with a capacity for 1800 patients. The facility is re-dedicated with Dr. Stocking’s philosophy of rehabilitation and therapeutic treatment.

1932 - Expansion of the facility by the addition of 424-acre East Campus, known as “The Colony.” Patients and staff farm the land to provide food for the hospital.

1933 - The State builds three large buildings to house 1500 more patients.

1932-1935 Superintendent Scanland, M.D.

1935-1947 Superintendent Mullen, M.D.

1947-1953 Superintendent Rapaport, M.D.

1952 - Flood damages buildings and crops at Agnews.

1953-1954 Superintendent Johnson, M.D.

1955 - The census peaks at 4600 patients.

1954-1957 Superintendent Tucker, M.D.

1957-1957 Superintendent Johnson, M.D.

1957-1965 Superintendent Rapaport, M.D.

1966 - Agnews establishes the first program for individuals with developmental disabilities with the transfer of 534 individuals from other facilities.

1965-1972 Superintendent Sandwitter, M.D.

1972 - People with mental illness move into the community and the facility becomes Agnews Developmental Center.

1972-1976 Superintendent Waters, M.D.

1976-1978 Executive Director Loberg, Ph.D.

1978-1992 Executive Director Procunier, Ph.D.

1988 - Client population peaks at 1100

1989-1992 Executive Director Van Meter, Ph.D.

1992-1992 Executive Rogers, Ph.D.

1992-1994 Executive Maples, Ph.D.

1995 - West Campus declared surplus as many residents return to the community and remaining move to East Campus.

1995-1995 Executive Director Rogers, Ph.D.

1995-1999 Executive Director Haralson, Ph.D.

1996 - Sun Microsystems buys 82.5 acres of the surplus West Campus land.

1998 - Dedication of new buildings on East Campus, including a training site for education and employment programs.

2003 - RiverMark grand opening. May, 2003 on a 152 acre portion of the surplus West Campus land.

1999-1999 Executive Director Kramer

1999-Present Executive Director Pitchford . This historical marker is in Agnew in Santa Clara in Santa Clara County California