An early photo of the existing La Porte County Home on West Ind. 2, which opened in 1886. (PHOTO PROVIDED; CLICK TO ENLARGE)
By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian
The La Porte County Home and its picturesque barns collectively continue to serve as a stalwart westside welcome to the city. This in an era when just a few of Indiana’s 92 county governments still maintain a home for people who otherwise may have no other home. It was the county’s first (in modern terms) “assisted-living facility,” and it continues to serve as one for people who have no resources.
La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz
In the early years of La Porte County, there was no almshouse for the poor and/or homeless. Paupers were “farmed out” to the homes of citizens, who were paid by the county to care for them. This became very expensive and the county found it expedient to purchase land for use as a “poor farm.” The La Porte County Asylum for the Poor was located in Centre (now Center) Township, on the north side of today’s Severs Road across from Pine Lake Cemetery. It was completed at a cost of $2,480 in 1841, having been constructed by Luther Mann Jr., who also built the second La Porte County Courthouse.
The Asylum for the Poor was a wooden structure, and other structures on the grounds were a barn, hog house, wood house, chicken house and other necessary buildings. In 1873, there were 36 inhabitants (referred to as inmates at that time) and an addition had recently been built for use by the family in charge. By 1875, the number of inhabitants had increased to 45, nine of whom were described as insane, and two were blind. The age range was from 6 to 100 years. The facility was capable of accommodating about 50 persons. The erection of a Pest House (for people with contagious conditions) was in progress on the back part of the farm, and when completed would house about a dozen patients. There were both male and female departments provided and space for a nurse. The farm was cultivated and stock was also kept. Products from the farm supplied the institution with nearly all the food required.
In 1886, 248 acres were purchased in Scipio Township for $20,000 in anticipation of a new facility. In May of that year, a bid was accepted from William J. Bower of Greencastle in the amount of $19,369 to erect the present home on West Ind. 2. The architect was Cass Chapman, the same one who drew the plans for the present La Porte City Hall, originally the city post office.
The cornerstone for the existing La Porte County Home was laid Thursday, July 15, 1886, with the usual ceremonies. The extreme length of the building was 200 feet, 8 inches, and the extreme depth was 150 feet, two stories high with a basement. Brick was used from the bottom of the foundation to the top of the plates. The roof was tin and galvanized iron was used for the cornices, belfries and ventilators. The woodwork and floors were of Southern pine. The kitchen and dining room were on the first floor with a sitting room in each wing. There was hot and cold water throughout the house, and it was furnished with bathrooms. There were about 70 apartments. The second floor had three rooms arranged for cells for “mental residents.” There was a large central porch as well as one in front of each wing. The basement had a brick floor and the laundry and ironing room were located there.
Thought to be the best feature of the house was the provision for heating. This consisted of one of the Rumely Company’s immense boilers, which was 54 inches in diameter and 10 feet long and had a “very nice ornamental front.” With 15 to 20 pounds of steam, the entire building could be heated in the coldest weather, but in mild weather only one pound would be adequate. There were 57 steam radiators in the facility, all tastily painted. It was noted that it was alone worth a visit to the home to see the labyrinth of pipe utilized.
The home was occupied for the first time Thursday, Dec. 19, 1886, by 36 paupers, all of whom were aged, and more were expected. The home would house more than 100.
In 1947, the La Porte County Asylum became the La Porte County Home. To this day, persons may be referred from many sources, including doctors, hospitals, courts and churches. The residential rate is set by the county commissioners, not to exceed the ceiling set by the Indiana State Welfare Department.
Many changes have occurred due to changes in health laws. The La Porte County Home was partially self-supporting until the 1980s with its working farm where livestock, fruits and vegetables were raised to feed the residents. There is no longer a dairy, nor do they process meat for their use. Because the cost of feeding chickens exceeded that of purchasing eggs, chickens are no longer raised. The icehouse and granary later became garages and the slaughterhouse a shop.
FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is the official La Porte County Historian. For more information about the La Porte County Historical Society and the area’s fascinating history, visit www.laportecountyhistory.org and its museum in La Porte.