The first "home" was in the former home of Judge William Z. Stuart at what is now 216-218 Wheatland Avenue, Logansport, IN when at the close of the Civil War a group of local women cared for 3 or 4 children.
The second home was on the southwest corner of Melbourne Avenue and Wilkinson Street.
The Orphan's Home was organized under Indiana state law of February 1870. A temporary organization was formed and on February 1, 1878 the name Orphan's Home Association was adopted. Around this time a legislative act was passed that provided County Commissioners in several counties to establish orphans' homes.
In 1882 the Cass County Commission bought the former Lewis Chamberlain Home* at 1339 Pleasant Hill for $2500 with $500 in improvements.
*Note - Logansport Attorney Lewis Chamberlain - a native of New Jersey - built the home in 1867 on Pleasant Hill but soon vacated because his wife did not appreciate living so far away from the downtown.
Orphan's Home on Pleasant Hill
Additions and improvements in the amount of $7,256 were made to the home in 1903.
The home suffered two fires, the worst of which occurred on April 3, 1906. During the time of rebuilding the orphans were cared for at the Mexico, Indiana Home in Miami County.
The home was rebuilt and completed for occupancy in January 1907 at a cost of $8,235.
Later photo of the Cass County Children's Home
Early reports indicated that the children were from Cass and surrounding counties. Year-end reports indicated that children were either returned to their families, placed in another facility or placed with "good families".
Post card image of the orphanage.
During the early years it was not uncommon for children to be placed in the orphanage while their parents looked for work. This was quite common during the Great Depression years.
Monday, January 6, 1908 The Logansport Pharos:
Sub headline Other Matters Before the County Commissioners Today
"The Orphans Home for December was allowed $105.50 for care and board of Stella Kahler, Eddie Talbert, Lucile Stuart, James Thorp, Bertha Neff, Gilbert McGuire, Iran Nean, Bessie Nean, Harry Brooks, Earl Brooks, Thomas Loracons, Sadie Kadman, Charles Foster and Goldie Stuart. "
While the Cass County Historical Society does NOT have any records of any kind left by the orphanage there is a list of names of children living there in April of 1907:
Stella Kahler, Eddie Talbert, Lucile Stuart, Frank Keneline, James Thorp (or Sharp?), Bertha Neff, Willia Berry, Gilbert McGuire, Mildred Howell, William Brann, Alice Brann, Rex Warner, Judson Shultz, Ivan Uran and Denise Uran.
...and at the time of the 1910 census
Rebecca Carney, Matron, age 56; Ola Dellon, 34, Margaret Moriarty, 27 and Jasper McGuire (janitor), age 44
Mabel Timberlake 13, Goldie Stewart 14, Stella Kahler 12, Sadie Rodman 11, Ara Hayden 10, Esther Dillon 3, Geneva Wheeler 2, Nora Moriarty* (less than a year old), Jim Sharpe 11, Roy Hayden 9, Merle Hayden 5, Harold Warner 3, Vernon Bumgartner 7, Ardella Goshen 16.
*Nora Moriarty died of diphtheria in the orphan home Jan. 30, 1913.
Above and Below: Photos taken in 1956
TIMELINE
Rebuilt in 1907 used by generations of area orphans over the next 90 years.
In 1994 a new wing was added to the house.
In 2001 the old portion of the building was abandoned as children were moved into the new section.
On March 14, 2003 the final child left the facility.
In August 2008, the Cass County Commissioners closed the home.
In 2009 the property was purchased and the original, old home was razed. The remaining newer wing was converted into an assisted living home. It currently is doing business as "Pleasant Escape".
http://www.pleasantescape.com/
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