13 Reasons Why Kenmore Insane Asylum Is Australia's Scariest Place

Insane asylums in general create a significant 'yeesh' factor, but an abandoned insane asylum with a history of awful deaths and a famous murder? Jinkies, Scooby.

1. This is Kenmore Hospital For The Insane in Goulburn, New South Wales

javascript:viewphoto('photo.asp?4346_a020_a020000002=#39;,1633,665) / Via NSW State Records

It was founded in 1895 and in it's heyday in the 1960s housed some 1,400 patients.

2. This is Kenmore Hospital For The Insane today

Flickr: danman_cc / Via DaNmAn Flickr

After over 100 years, services wound down in the early 2000s leaving the 75-hectare site empty.

3. It was abandoned, with 77 buildings now completely empty

smh.com.au / Via Sydney Morning Herald

Ghost tours are conducted regularly, and it's easy to see why...

4. Some pretty 'awful' things happened there

trove.nla.gov.au / Via The Canberra Times

Like this horrific case, on Tuesday, October 22 in 1929.

5. A pneumonic influenza pandemic in 1919 killed 21 patients

javascript:viewphoto('photo.asp?4346_a020_a020000008=#39;,785,616) / Via NSW State Records

During July and August in winter 1919 two female patients and nineteen male died.

6. There was also a tragic murder

canberratimes.com.au / Via The Canberra Times

Elizabeth Eva Naughton was shot and killed on the grounds by a former patient - Richard Sindell - on December 16, 1922.

7. A former patient originally intended to kill his doctor

canberratimes.com.au / Via The Canberra Times

Sindell was treated at the hospital after World War I and developed a delusional conspiracy about hospital staff, particularly Charles Moffitt. He returned to the grounds with a gun and after shooting Doctor Moffitt, who fled, proceeded to shoot several nurses, killing Nurse Naughton.

8. It ended after the hospital manager shot him

Flickr: danman_cc / Via DaNmAn_CC Flickr

Taking a rifle from the hospital safe, the tragedy ended after Sindell was shot in the hand and forced to surrender. It was too late for Nurse Naughton, who died at the scene after two shots to her chest.

9. Shock therapy was used to treat masturbation and homosexuality

javascript:viewphoto('photo.asp?4346_a020_a020000046=#39;,573,700) / Via NSW State Records

Patients were also committed for anything ranging from promiscuity to postnatal depression.

10. Fingernail scratches can still be found on the backs of doors

Flickr: danman_cc / Via DaNmAn_CC Flickr

Particularly in the wet rooms for 'noisy and violent' patients. The eight single rooms were hosed out daily, hence the name.

11. Locals claim it's haunted by ghosts

Flickr: danman_cc / Via DaNmAn_CC

Spirits of the people who died at the asylum are thought to roam the empty halls.

12. And hey, while you're in the town of Goulburn...

nma.gov.au / Via Inside

13. Why not check out the abandoned orphanage nearby?

nma.gov.au / Via Inside

Just, you know, for shits and giggles.

Because tourism

Via Inside