Alexander County Poor Farm
| Alexander County Poor Farm | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1886 (Second location) |
| Closed | 1929 |
| Current Status | Demolished |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Location | Beach Ridge, IL |
| Alternate Names |
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History[edit]
The Alexander County Poor Farm was founded in 1870 to serve the poor, paupers, destitute, and needy of Alexander County, Illinois. The Poor Farm was first located on five acres in Thebes. By 1886, the almshouse located at Thebes was “abandoned” and “the poor who need house care are sent to St. Mary’s Infirmary, Cairo. In 1891, Alexander County purchased a farm at Beach Ridge, containing 440 acres, and erected a 1.5 story frame building to be used as the almshouse. The house was opened for the reception of paupers about January 1, 1892. The number of paupers present was twelve.
By 1929, Alexander County closed the Poor Farm and rented out the property. The property was later sold in 1959 to John A. Stelle and Russell T. Stelle, sons of the former governor John H. Stelle.
