Wisconsin Veterans Home facts for kids
The Wisconsin Veterans' Home is a special place in King, Wisconsin. It's like a community built just for veterans who served in the military. This home is located in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, right by the beautiful Chain O' Lakes, Wisconsin.
After the American Civil War, many soldiers were injured. Doctors learned new ways to help them, so more soldiers survived. People felt it was important to care for these brave veterans. The city of Waupaca bought an old hotel called Greenwood Park Hotel. They gave the land to a group called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This group was made up of Civil War veterans. They wanted to build a home for veterans there.
Dr. Frederick Marden, a doctor from the Civil War and a GAR member, helped organize the home. He had great ideas, like letting veterans' wives and widows live there too. He also thought veterans could live in their own small cottages. This allowed them to be more independent. Dr. Marden passed away in 1887, but his ideas came to life when the home opened on August 18, 1888.
Today, the Wisconsin Veterans' Home is one of the biggest in the country. It has almost 1,000 workers. It's like a small town with its own services, even a fire department!
Historic Buildings at the Home
The Wisconsin Veterans' Home has several important buildings. These buildings are so special that they are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means they are protected because of their history.
Important Buildings to See
There are five historic places you can find at the King Veterans Home:
- The Commandant's Residence Home
- The Halfway House (King, Wisconsin)
- The Old Hospital
- The Veterans Cottages Historic District
- The Veterans Home Chapel
Images for kids
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Site map of the Veterans' Home
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Seven cottages at the Veterans' Home, photographed in 1933
