Veterans Home of California Yountville facts for kids
The Veterans Home of California is a special place in Yountville, California. It was started in 1884. This home is the biggest of its kind in the United States. It helps almost 800 older and disabled veterans. These veterans served in wars like World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan.
The home offers different types of care. This includes places to live, care for older people, and skilled nursing care. There is also a clinic for medical needs.
The grounds of the home are very large. They include the Lincoln Theater, where concerts happen. There is also a 9-hole golf course, a baseball field, and a swimming pool. Veterans can use these facilities for free. The home also has its own U.S. Post Office and a store. Inside, veterans can find a fitness center, a TV station run by residents, and a bowling alley. There is a large library with 35,000 books. The home also has a creative arts center and a chapel for different faiths. A cemetery on the grounds holds the graves of over 5,500 veterans and their spouses. Some graves date back to the Spanish–American War of 1898.
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How the Home Started
In 1877, a group called the Grand Army of the Republic tried to get land in San Francisco for a veterans home. But that land was not suitable.
A different group officially started on March 7, 1882. They wanted to create a California Veteran's Home. After raising money and looking at other places, they bought 910 acres near Yountville. This was on October 25, 1882, and it cost $17,750.
Since 1883, the State of California helped pay for the home. They gave $15,000 each year. This money was meant to help 100 veterans. The home welcomed its first residents on April 1, 1884. An 11-member board managed the home. Two members were from the Association of Mexican War Veterans. Nine were from the Grand Army of the Republic, representing Union Civil War Veterans. In 1889, the California Veteran's Home became an official state institution. When it opened, there were 17 residents. By the end of 1891, 408 men lived there.
In the years after it started, the Veterans Home faced money problems. The Napa Valley also had a tough financial time. A private group was formed to help the home. This group got money from both the state of California and the federal government. But in 1896, Washington decided it could not fund a private home anymore. So, it stopped its financial help. The group had to give the Veterans Home to the state of California in 1897. The state paid the group $20. It officially changed the name to the Veterans Home of California at Yountville. At that time, the home was worth about $320,000. It had 55 buildings with heat, electricity, and running water. The grounds also had a successful dairy, hog farm, and chicken ranch. It was home to 800 veterans from the Mexican, Civil, and Indian wars.
Changes in the Early 1900s
Col. Nelson M. Holderman became the leader of the home in 1919. He was a veteran of World War I and received a special award for bravery. He fought many challenges for the home. His biggest challenge came from the Civil War veterans living there and on its board. They did not like the changes he wanted to make. Col. Holderman did not want to argue with these older veterans. He left his job in 1921, but he promised to return.
After some board members passed away, Col. Holderman came back in 1926. He stayed as the leader until he died in 1953. Many people believe he greatly improved the Veterans Home. His work can still be seen and felt today.
Holderman overcame many political and official problems. He replaced and fixed many old buildings where veterans lived and worked. He also planted a beautiful grove of tall trees from around the world. This area is now known as Holderman's Grove. In 1929, he also helped build a 500-bed hospital. The home had needed this hospital for many years.
Challenges in the Late 1900s
In the 1970s, the home faced money problems again. Less money meant the buildings and staff were struggling. The future of the home was uncertain. State and federal health agencies even threatened to take away the home's certification. The California State Legislature took action. They approved a $100 million plan to fix up the home. This showed California's strong commitment to its veterans.
The Home Today
Today, the Veterans' Home of California at Yountville is home to almost 1,200 veterans. This includes nearly 150 women veterans and about 30 couples.
Veterans living at the home share their ideas and advice. They do this through the Veterans' Home Allied Council. This group advises the home's leader. The home's yearly budget is $47 million. Half of this money comes from California's general fund. The rest comes from other sources, like federal payments and fees from members.
The Veterans' Home of California Yountville gets a lot of support. Citizens, service clubs, and veterans organizations help a great deal. Their help makes many services possible, especially when the state has money problems. The home is a key place for groups like AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and The American Legion. These groups represent thousands of veterans and are very active at the home.
The Home is located in the beautiful Wine Country of northern California. It also serves as a backup location for the governor's office.
The home was the main place where the 2014 documentary film Of Men and War was filmed. This movie showed the work of The Pathway Home. This program helped veterans who served after 9/11. It supported those dealing with PTSD and TBIs to get back to everyday life.
Notable People
- Elizabeth D'Arcy Kinne (1843-1918) was a national president of the Woman's Relief Corps (WRC). She helped start this important institution.
