Redwood County Poor Farm facts for kids

The Redwood County Poor Farm building, which is now a museum.

The Redwood County Poor Farm was a special place in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, where people who were struggling or elderly could find help. It was run by the county government. This farm helped people from 1884 to 1889, and then again from 1909 to 1967. After that, it became a nursing home.

Today, the old Poor Farm building is home to the Redwood County Museum. The Redwood County Historical Society runs this museum. You can explore 30 rooms filled with local history and culture. Some rooms look like they did long ago, such as a living room, dining room, and kitchen. There's also a general store, a military room, and a doctor's office.

The museum also has three rooms about nature, showing local wildlife. You can see Native American artifacts, musical instruments, old toys, and clothes from different times. Outside, there's even a one-room schoolhouse you can visit. The museum is open on weekends from May through October.

History of the Poor Farm

Finding a Home for Those in Need

The idea of a "poor farm" was to provide a place for people who couldn't support themselves. This could include the elderly, sick, or those without jobs. The first Redwood County Poor Farm was bought in 1884 in Sherman Township. It had 160 acres and a nine-room house.

However, this first farm was about 13 miles from the main town of Redwood Falls. This made it hard for county officials to manage. Most of the money spent on the farm went to medical care and food. In 1889, the county decided to sell this farm. They felt it wasn't in the right place or good enough for its purpose.

Searching for a New Location

For a while, Redwood County didn't have a poor farm. People who needed help were supported in their own homes or by others in the community. For example, the county paid for rent or wood for families.

In 1899, a group from the village of Morgan offered land or money for a new poor farm. The county first accepted the land. But then, they changed their minds. They realized Morgan was also far from the courthouse, making it difficult to oversee. This led to a court case, which the county won in 1900.

Building the New Poor Farm

Finally, in 1907, the county decided to buy land for a new poor farm. They bought about 25 acres for $3,000. In 1908, they approved building a new home for the county's poor. This new Spanish-style building opened in late 1908 or 1909.

In 1912, Ole Bollum became the first superintendent. He lived at the farm with his family. It was common for poor farms to have animals like horses, cows, and chickens. They also grew large gardens. The home could usually house about 10 to 15 people.

Who Could Stay at the Poor Farm?

While we don't have all the old records, we can guess how people were admitted. First, officials would check if someone truly needed help. They wanted to make sure people weren't just trying to avoid their own family duties.

Next, they would record information about each person. This included their name, age, and why they needed help. Then, people would be grouped together to make sure everyone was comfortable. Finally, new residents would learn the rules of the home.

Poor farms often focused on three main things: cleanliness, good order, and work. Residents were expected to keep themselves and their living areas clean. They also had to follow rules and stay busy.

Work and Life at the Farm

People living at the Redwood County Poor Farm were expected to work. The men often found jobs with local farmers. The women usually worked on the farm itself or did jobs for other people in the community. Sometimes, men who worked for local farmers would find permanent jobs. If this happened, the farmer might even turn a chicken coop into a small home for the family.

The Great Depression Years

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many families faced hard times. In 1932, the poor farm added more land. A big change happened in 1935. A nearby mansion where struggling families lived caught fire. The wood from the burned mansion was used to build six small cottages on the poor farm property.

These new cottages were simple "shacks" without electricity. They shared one well for water. In 1937, there were questions about whether the families living in these cottages were truly poor. The county asked them to leave. However, a state official stepped in. The families were allowed to stay if they paid $8 a month in rent. Eventually, these cottages were sold. One of them is still rented out today!

Changes in Later Years

In 1939, there was talk of turning the poor farm into a school for girls. The county board approved this idea, but it was quickly changed back. A local farmer named C.O. Gilfillan offered to help. He wanted to find a way to care for the elderly and needy without costing taxpayers too much.

In 1940, Gilfillan offered to pay the county to care for the residents. The poor farm was remodeled to become more like a home for the aged. Its capacity grew to about 36 people. From then until 1967, it was known as the Redwood County Home. Later, an elevator was added, and the capacity increased to 48 beds. With new rules for care homes, it officially became the Redwood County Nursing Home.

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  The Redwood County Poor Farm building, which is now a museum.