Redwood County Poor Farm facts for kids
The Redwood County Poor Farm (also known as a Poorhouse) was a special place in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, where people who were poor or elderly could live and get help. It operated from 1884 to 1889, and then again from 1909 until 1967. After that, it became a nursing home.
Today, the building is home to the Redwood County Museum. The Redwood County Historical Society runs it. Inside, you can explore 30 rooms filled with local history! There are rooms set up like an old living room, dining room, kitchen, and even a general store. You can also see a military room and a doctor's office from the past. The museum also has three rooms about nature, showing local wildlife, Native American tools, musical instruments, toys, and old clothes. Outside, there's even a one-room school building you can visit.
The museum is open on weekends from May through October.
Contents
History of the Poor Farm
Finding a Home
The Redwood County Poor Farm building you see today was built in 1907. But before that, there was another poor farm. In 1884, the county bought a piece of land in Sherman Township for $3,000. This first poor farm was on 160 acres and had a nine-room house. It was about 13 miles from Redwood Falls, which was the county seat (where the main government offices were).
County records from 1889 show that most of the money spent on this first farm went towards medical care for the residents, followed by food costs. However, the county decided to sell this farm in 1889 for $3,200. The reason? They felt it wasn't in the right place or good enough for a "County Poor Farm." They wanted a better, more convenient spot.
In 1899, a group of citizens from Morgan (another town about 14 miles away) suggested a new location. They offered either $1,000 to build a new poor farm within a mile of their town or a deed for 40 acres of land. The county decided to accept the land.
But the county leaders changed their minds! They thought it would be too hard to manage a farm so far from the courthouse. The Morgan group wasn't happy and took the county to court in 1900. A judge eventually sided with the county.
According to the Redwood County Historical Society, the county had already taken the land in Morgan in May 1899 and even planted crops there instead of building the poor farm.
During the time Redwood County didn't have a poor farm, people in need were helped in their own homes or by others in the community. For example, records show the county paid for things like rent, board, and even wood for people.
Building the New Home
In 1907, the county decided it was time to build a new home for the poor. They bought about 25 acres of land for $3,000. In 1908, the county approved a plan to build a new county home for $16,450. This new building, designed in a Spanish style, opened its doors to residents in late 1908 or late 1909.
Ole Bollum became the first superintendent (manager) of the new poor farm in 1912. He lived there with his wife and two children. It was common for poor farms to have horses, cows, and chickens, and to do general farming, including having a large garden. The home itself could house about 10 to 15 people.
Who Could Live There?
To live at the poor farm, people likely had to go through an application process. It was important to make sure that only those who truly needed help were admitted. People believed that some families might try to send relatives to public care just to avoid their own responsibilities.
The first step was probably to check if someone was eligible. Then, their information would be recorded, like their name, age, where they were from, and why they needed help. The next step was to group residents together to make sure everyone was comfortable. Finally, new residents would learn the rules of the home.
It was also important for poor farms to be clean, orderly, and to have residents work. This was because some people believed that those who were poor enjoyed being dirty, messy, and lazy.
Working at the Farm
People living at the Redwood County Poor Farm were expected to work. Men often found jobs with local farmers. Women usually worked on the poor farm itself or did various jobs for other people in the community. The museum curator mentioned that sometimes, when men found permanent work with a farmer, the farmer would even turn a chicken coop into a small home for the family to live in.
The Great Depression Years
Many people think the poor farm always stayed the same size, but it actually grew! In 1932, an extra 25 acres were added to the property.
A big change happened in 1935 during the Great Depression, a time when many people lost their jobs and homes. Families who needed help were living in a nearby mansion, which unfortunately caught fire that year. The wood from the burned mansion was saved and used to build six small cottages on the poor farm property for these families. These new buildings were simple "shacks" without electricity, and everyone shared one well and pump.
In 1937, there were accusations that some families living in these cottages weren't actually poor. The county ordered them to leave. However, a state relief official stepped in and asked the county to let the families stay if they paid $8 a month in rent. The county agreed, but still hoped the families would find other homes soon. The time when the poor farm also served as a "county colony" for these families ended when the cottages were sold off. Interestingly, one of these original cottages is still rented out today!
Later Years and New Purpose
In 1939, there were talks about turning the home into a school for girls. The county board approved this idea at first, but then changed their minds a few weeks later after some people protested.
In 1940, a wealthy farmer named C.O. Gilfillan offered to study how to make the most of the property. He wanted to find a way to help the elderly and those in need without putting too much burden on taxpayers. He even offered to pay Redwood County $1,800 a year to care for the residents.
Some changes were made to the building to help it become more like a nursing home. Its capacity grew to about 36 people. From this time until 1967, it was known as the Redwood County Home. In 1967, an elevator was added, and more beds were put in, increasing the capacity to 48 people. With new rules for nursing homes, it officially became the Redwood County Nursing Home.
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