Boone County Almshouse
| Boone County Almshouse | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1855 |
| Closed | 1914 |
| Current Status | Demolished |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Location | Belvidere, IL |
| Alternate Names |
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History[edit]
Boone County had a poor farm on the northwest corner of Orth and Beloit roads. Five acres of land was deeded to Cynthia Leach in 1855. In time, the farm grew to 280 acres. Each year, bids were taken by the Boone County Board of Supervisors to care for the poor and elderly at this poor farm. Each year, Clark Leach, Cynthia’s husband, was the successful bidder. Leach built three cottages, each to house about a half-dozen men or women. The number of people who lived and worked there at any given time was 18 to 20.
Farm work was done by “able men,” and a bell was rung to summon them to meals or from farm work. Meals were served by Cynthia Leach and a helper in the back dining room of their home. The poor farm existed until 1914 when Maple Crest, then known as the Alms House, was built on Illinois 76. The last resident of the poor farm was Frank Sullivan, who was too old to take care of himself and unable to make the change.
