Dix had expressed interest that Jacksonville State Hospital be opened by 1849 .
It was n't until November 3 , 1851 , that the first two wards were ready for occupancy and the first patient , Sophronia McElhiney , of McLean County , was admitted .
Although Dix had expressed interest that Jacksonville State Hospital be opened by 1849 , it was n't until November 3 , 1851 , that the first two wards were ready for occupancy and the first patient , Sophronia McElhiney , of McLean County , was admitted .