|
History Notes |
|
|
|
At the site of what is now the Fair Haven Shelby County Home, the Shelby County Infirmary once stood. Today, the county home is a modern, residential facility for the elderly. The Shelby County Infirmary was constructed in 1869 as a home for the county's poor and for those who had nowhere else to go. Hitchcock's "History and Biography of Shelby County," published in 1913, notes that on March 23, 1866, the county commissioners purchased a 158-acre farm southwest of Sidney for the purpose of building the infirmary. The land was sold for $8,500. "This building," says the history book, "which is an elegant and substantial brick...with a mansard roof, is situated about three miles southwest of Sidney, in Clinton township and reflects great credit on the citizens of the county. A beautiful lawn in front of the home, which sits back from the road, shows the good taste of its managers, while the rest of the farm is highly cultivated." The livestock and crops raised at the "infirmary farm," were used to feed those who resided there. Over the years, the old image of the "infirmary" has disappeared. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shaffer of Sidney served as superintendents of the county home from 1961-79. Shaffer said that while he and his wife worked there the facility began to change to a home for the elderly. The old building continued to be used for 100 years, until the first part of the existing county home was completed in 1969. The farming operation was still in full swing when Shaffer was there. Those residents who were able and who wanted to worked on the farm. The residents grew corn, soybean, wheat and oats, and raised cattle, hogs and chickens. The crops were used as feed for the animals, and the meat was consumed by the residents. The old infirmary was torn down in the early 1970's. By 1975, a new wing had already been added to the new county home, and several building additions have been constructed since then. In 1985 a new addition under the Fair Haven umbrella was the Adult Day Care, now identified as Adult Day Services of Shelby County, providing an additional level of care for Shelby County Residents. A third level of care was added in 1996 with Nutrition Services of Shelby County, which provides meals for the homebound and in two congregate sites in the county. Fair Haven past leadership included JB Howe, William Widner, H. Guthrie, E Needles, Mr. Cormick, LC Showers, EE Miller, W. Stewart, Shaffer and Bill Stine. The current Executive Director is Anita Miller. |