In 1849, when the North Carolina State Medical Society was formed, the construction of an institution in the capital, Raleigh, for the care of mentally ill patients was authorized.

[6] This move was made despite the fact that the hospital was operating well and that its closure meant that mental health patients would have no local, public facility to use for care.

As of October 6, 2008, according to the News & Observer, state officials were calling the facility "Central Regional Hospital - Raleigh Campus".

[6] The hospital is the setting for "Dix Hill", David Sedaris' reminiscence of working there as a volunteer in his youth, published in his collection Naked.

[12] Proceeds of the sale were to go to "fund facilities and services for the mentally ill."[12] Located on the property is Spring Hill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.