Keeley Institute: Dwight, Illinois - Historic Alcohol Dependency Therapy - Bichloride of Gold

Dwight has an interesting history, if you take the timeHouse, including the windmill, was listed on the National
to do the research about it. But don't worry, you don'tRegister of Historic Places back in 1980.
have to, I did it for you (and luckily compiled most of itThe Keeley Institute had franchises all over the United
on Wikipedia).States and became rather famous, and successful, for
Dwight has been called America's first therapeutica time. Though the institute didn't close until 1965 its
community, because of Dr. Leslie Keeley and John R.popularity ended in the early 20th century. The Keeley
Oughton and their famed Keeley Institute. The KeeleyCure was widely known, becoming ubiquitous as part
Cure (wiki by me, thoroughly researched like all I do,of the lexicon; people would often refer jokingly to
yet not completely finished) was globally famous as apeople, especially the rich and famous, who were
"scientific" treatment for alcoholism, groundbreaking at"taking the Keeley Cure" or had "gone to Dwight." A
the time, and more than a bit odd in hindsight. Thesimilar phenomenon can be observed with famous
Keeley Cure involved "bichloride of gold", and the jurymodern-day treatment facilities such as the Betty Ford
is still out on what, exactly, that was. There are a fewClinic.
buildings associated with the Keeley Institute still extantOnline Resources
in Dwight, among them, the John R. Oughton House*John R Oughton House: NRHP Nomination Form/Illinois
(wiki by me), which served as housing for KeeleyHistoric Sites Survey Inventory Form
Institute patients.*John R. Oughton House: Free use image gallery (by
The Oughton House is a large estate which serves asme)
a strange smelling restaurant today; it includes the*John R. Oughton House: IHPA Property Information
elaborately restored windmill seen above. Across theReport - Has older photos at bottom, if you right click
street from the Oughton Estate is another Keeleyand hit 'view image' you can see the full resolution
affiiated building, seen below. The John R. Oughtonimages.