Camarillo State Hospital Collection

The State of California acquired 1500 acres in the City of Camarillo, County of Ventura, for the Department of Developmental Services to build a state hospital in 1932. The hospital was designed to house 7000 patients and over 700 staff, making it the largest mental hospital in the world upon its completion. A WPA project, the hospital supported a state-of-the-art teaching hospital, was a large community employer, housed a number of famous patients, and is and has been the set or background for a number of movies and television shows. The hospital was officially closed in June of 1993 and was subsequently acquired by the California State University (CSU) System in 1996 for the express purpose of housing the Channel Islands campus.

The Camarillo State Hospital collection contains artifacts, documents, newspaper articles, oral histories and photographs relating to the operation of the hospital and its relationship with staff, patients, and the community. 

View more information about the Camarillo State Hospital Collection

Portions of the Camarillo State Hospital Collection are available online:
View the Digital Image Collection
View the Digital Document and Oral History Collection

For additional information, contact Evelyn Taylor, University Archivist at evelyn.taylor@csuci.edu.