St Lucas Deaconess Hospital Post Card. The only hospital in Faribault when my father arrived in town to set up medical practice in 1939 ----All three of the Weaver boys were born here, James Cowles Weaver Sept 1940, John Eicher Weaver Oct 1943 and Thomas G Weaver (this author) in Feb 1947 .
I took a photo of this post card yesterday, as Dave Volz a Faribault Native was sharing some of his Volz family archives at Curran's a neighborhood cafe' in South Minneapolis. Interesting he was a neighbor of Doug and Jackie Crockett whom Sue and I knew in the mid 1980's when we came to the Cities and HCMC, Nurse Midwife unit where our two sons were born, as we lived in St Cloud. Grateful to have another friend who is interested in documenting Faribault and family history. Thanks Dave!!!!
Johnston Hall and Seabury Divinity School, Faribault Post Card - Minneapolis made in Germany ---Tower in back is Johnston Hall --1888 built.
Most students of Faribault History are familiar with Henry Benjamin Whipple who settled in Faribault to be the first Bishop of the Episcopal Church, when visionaries saw the town becoming "The Athens of the West", having not only Shattuck, St Mary's Secondary Schools, and also Seabury Divinity School. Dave had a extra post card, and gave me this one, which I scanned after drying it out (I spilled water on it as we shared lunch and ice water at Curran's! In Back is Johnston Hall, still standing and owned by the District One Hospital - now part of a big medical corporation, Allina Health.
Faribault's Johnston Hall once again eyed for demolition
http://www.startribune.com/faribault-s-johnston-hall-once-again-eyed-for-demolition/442558083/
Post card from the early to mid 20th Century of the Faribault State School for the Feeble Minded. Found on a State of MN Website. http://libguides.mnhs.org/sh/faribault
With the summary "In 1879, the legislature authorized the board of directors of the Minnesota Institute for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind to open an experimental department for feeble-minded children. In July of that year, a class was organized of fifteen children transferred from the Rochester and St. Peter state hospitals.In 1887, the school was made a department of the institute and the name was changed to the Minnesota Institute for Defectives. The name School for the Feeble-Minded was adopted in 1885, changed to the School for Feeble-Minded and Colony for Epileptics in 1906, and again changed in 1949, to the Minnesota School and Colony. It became the Faribault State School and Hospital in 1955.
When the school opened it performed the functions of a school, a home, and a hospital. The three distinct departments were the School and Training Department, Custodial or Home Department, and Epileptic Hospital. In its later years, its functions included reducing the dependencies of mentally disabled individuals; providing care, treatment, and training for the purpose of returning persons to as normal a life as possible; assisting families in coping with the problems of mental retardation; fostering public understanding and involvement; promoting development and use of community services; and conducting research into causes, prevention, and treatment of mental retardation. The patient population consisted of persons of all ages representing all types and degrees of mental disability, many of whom are also physically infirm. The institution closed on July 1, 1998."
I just found a document on line "100 Years of Service, A Chronology of The Faribault State Hospital 1879-1979, 41 pages and here are some milestones Some Quotes in the language of the day "
1877 J. L. Noyes, superintendent of the Minnesota Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb and the Blind in Faribault, observed in his annual
repor.t·"The existence in the state of quite a class of children of
weak minds .•• They art:; not reached by the public schools or any of
the·state inititutions •• where, as a rule, condition. is
soon determined and they they are returned to their home.s, doomed
to a life of ignorance and imbecility_ nlis ought not so to be.
r 'Ought not," for schools and institutions or'lear.ning are based on the principle that all human beings capable of improvement; and it is the duty and for the interest of the state to see that these means are provided ••• In their and that ot their parents, and in behalf of the rights of a common humanity, I ask that something be done for their improvement."
The Minnesota Legislature the B6ard' of Directors of the Minnesota Institution for t:le Deaf and Oumb and the Blind to es- tablish an Experimental School for Imbeciles•. The school to serve "such children and youth as had drifted into the Insane Hospitals of the State and were found to be imbecile and feeble- rather than 1unati'c, and seemed capable ofimprovement and instruction ••• "
r 'Ought not," for schools and institutions or'lear.ning are based on the principle that all human beings capable of improvement; and it is the duty and for the interest of the state to see that these means are provided ••• In their and that ot their parents, and in behalf of the rights of a common humanity, I ask that something be done for their improvement."
The Minnesota Legislature the B6ard' of Directors of the Minnesota Institution for t:le Deaf and Oumb and the Blind to es- tablish an Experimental School for Imbeciles•. The school to serve "such children and youth as had drifted into the Insane Hospitals of the State and were found to be imbecile and feeble- rather than 1unati'c, and seemed capable ofimprovement and instruction ••• "
June, 1879 Dr. Henry M. Knight, superintendent of the Connecticut School
for Imbeciles in Lakeville, arrived to direct preparations for the Experimental School until his son, Dr. George H. Knight could assume the superintendency
July 28, 1879
"in September. Nine boys and five girls transferred to the Experimental School from the st. Peter Hospital for Insane. In the next year and a half eleven additional students were received from "the Peter and Rochester hospitals for the insane or from"their own homes.
March 7, 1881
Upon recommendations from the Board of Directors, the acting super-
intendent, and the Commission of Medical Examiners of the Hospitals
for the Insane, the a bill, which had been intro-
duced by R. A. Matt of Faribault, establishing a "Department for the
Training of Imbeciles and the Custody of as a permanent part \
of the Institution .for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. The Legislature also appropriated $25,000 to be used for construction of a building to house the new Department."
for Imbeciles in Lakeville, arrived to direct preparations for the Experimental School until his son, Dr. George H. Knight could assume the superintendency
July 28, 1879
"in September. Nine boys and five girls transferred to the Experimental School from the st. Peter Hospital for Insane. In the next year and a half eleven additional students were received from "the Peter and Rochester hospitals for the insane or from"their own homes.
March 7, 1881
Upon recommendations from the Board of Directors, the acting super-
intendent, and the Commission of Medical Examiners of the Hospitals
for the Insane, the a bill, which had been intro-
duced by R. A. Matt of Faribault, establishing a "Department for the
Training of Imbeciles and the Custody of as a permanent part \
of the Institution .for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. The Legislature also appropriated $25,000 to be used for construction of a building to house the new Department."
March 1, 1890 Two hundred acres of farm land Were purchased from George Gilmore for
,. the purpose of establishing a Farm Colony where men and boys could
.'. r
live and be regularly engaged in farming and gardening. That summer
it "became the home of ten boys who were practically of but little
help, and considerable care. They all sent there be-
cause they did not classify anywhere else. They were nearly all
epileptic, paralytic, or .vicious in their tendencies. Despite this
thci farm had a balance credit of $714.76 for the year " The Farm
Colony group was named "Barron Club" in'1892 in memory of H. E.
Barron, who had served as steward for many years. By 1898, however,
Farm Colony was also being referred to as "Springdale."
Farm Colony was also being referred to as "Springdale."
1898 A.R.T. Wylie was employed as pharmacist. Wylie was a trained
psychologist. With Rogers' help, he established a psychological re- search laboratory to conduct studies of sensory response (taste, smell, sight, touch), memory, and .ability (reaction time, fatigue) in the mentally deficient. Wylie was the first psychologist ever employed in such an institution. The results of his pioneering work were published in the Journal· of Psycho-Asthenics, of which Rogers was editor.
Because the Springdale farm cottage was crowded with 25 men, a re- quest was made to add wings to its north and south.
The per capita annual cost of institution care was $162. Dances
Not only has the State of Minnesota had the mental hospital on the East Side of Faribault, The Deaf School, The Blind School and the State School and Hospital, Mental Institution from 1879 - 1998 Here are some random photos. Shattuck and St Mary's Schools.
psychologist. With Rogers' help, he established a psychological re- search laboratory to conduct studies of sensory response (taste, smell, sight, touch), memory, and .ability (reaction time, fatigue) in the mentally deficient. Wylie was the first psychologist ever employed in such an institution. The results of his pioneering work were published in the Journal· of Psycho-Asthenics, of which Rogers was editor.
Because the Springdale farm cottage was crowded with 25 men, a re- quest was made to add wings to its north and south.
The per capita annual cost of institution care was $162. Dances
were held eyery Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Concerts by the
band were given frequently.
May 13, 1905
The first burial.of a resident took place in the institution's cemetary south of the main campus. Previously those who died while in residence had been buried either in Faribault or in their home
September, 1905 A tuberculosis hospital,' with 28 beds "and a large sun room, was opened• . "It is. constructed after the Spanish.Mission type, its architecture giving it a distinct individuality among the other
buildings." The building was later named Skinner Hall Annex 4 ().,
after it ceased to function asVtuberculosis hospital, and still later was re-named Rose.
The institution's name, which had been Minnesota School for
feeble-Minded)( since 1885, was changed by adding "And Colony for
Epileptics.
May 13, 1905
The first burial.of a resident took place in the institution's cemetary south of the main campus. Previously those who died while in residence had been buried either in Faribault or in their home
September, 1905 A tuberculosis hospital,' with 28 beds "and a large sun room, was opened• . "It is. constructed after the Spanish.Mission type, its architecture giving it a distinct individuality among the other
buildings." The building was later named Skinner Hall Annex 4 ().,
after it ceased to function asVtuberculosis hospital, and still later was re-named Rose.
March 1, 1906
...
1908 A60-bed custodial for girls and a 45-bed building for
1908 A60-bed custodial for girls and a 45-bed building for
boys were opened.
A root cellar with 20,000 capacity,. an ice house to hold 900
tons of and a greenhouse were all built of concrete and
largely by "inmates."
On August 1 there were '396 applications for admission. With the
population already over 1100, Dr. Rogers recommended that the
population not be allowed to'exceed 1500. Much ahead of events as
usual, he suggested that institution for the retarded and
ep'ileptic be started. (This did not occur until 1925). He
recommended purchase of farm land and building residences on them
to establish adult male residents on a farm colony. These houses
should be ucorresponding in character to the homes of· the progressive Minnesota farmers."
1909
1909
A Colony Farm was established in Walcott township with the
purchase of 507 acreas of first-class land. Located one 'and a
half miles south of the Main Building, it was four and a half miles away by road.
purchase of 507 acreas of first-class land. Located one 'and a
half miles south of the Main Building, it was four and a half miles away by road.
Dec 1910
A.R.T. Wylie,·who had served the institution as pharmacist,
psychologist, and physician,·.resigned to take the post of super-
intendent of the Grafton, N.D. State School.
1911 An addition accommodating 15 men was built on the old residence
acquired with the Walcott farm. A new dairy barn and siloSwas=-We.I"e..
constructed south of the campus in an area called"Peaceful
Valley."
Saidee Devitt, a trained field worker, began work on the family pedigrees of residents. By August, 1912, studies of 65 families had been completed, representing 99 of the institution's inmates.
1912 'In the past two-year period there were 482 admissions or re- admissions, 141 discharged or dropped, and 175 deaths." The work of the state Agents been very helpful in following up and re- porting the conditions governing the inmates that for various reasons have gone out from this institution ••• " Among the major causes of death were: tuberculosis (61), pneumonia (38), and epilepsy (27).The hay barn and part of the old dairy near Springdale burned.
Valley."
Saidee Devitt, a trained field worker, began work on the family pedigrees of residents. By August, 1912, studies of 65 families had been completed, representing 99 of the institution's inmates.
1912 'In the past two-year period there were 482 admissions or re- admissions, 141 discharged or dropped, and 175 deaths." The work of the state Agents been very helpful in following up and re- porting the conditions governing the inmates that for various reasons have gone out from this institution ••• " Among the major causes of death were: tuberculosis (61), pneumonia (38), and epilepsy (27).The hay barn and part of the old dairy near Springdale burned.
1935
Dr. A.R. VJylie, who had first -been employed at the institution
as pharmacist and psychologist in 1898, who had a physician by 1906, who had been superintendent at Grafton, N.D. from 1910 to 1935, and who had served two terms as of the American Association on Mental peficicncy, returned to the staff as Junior Physician.
1936 Long periods of summer drought threatened the annual yields of garden prodwcts; a sprinkling for the garden was requested
Dr. Leonard Hugunin was appointed- as the first full-time dentist.
He replaced Dr. George W. Wood, who had served on a part-time
basis for nearly 20 years. Dr. Hugunin remained on the staff un- til his death in 1967.
The Children" s library had 3,200.volumes, with a circulation of 30,000 books and periodicals annually. The staff owned 2,QOO volumes, besides a small medicril library.
Population had increased to 2,426.
as pharmacist and psychologist in 1898, who had a physician by 1906, who had been superintendent at Grafton, N.D. from 1910 to 1935, and who had served two terms as of the American Association on Mental peficicncy, returned to the staff as Junior Physician.
1936 Long periods of summer drought threatened the annual yields of garden prodwcts; a sprinkling for the garden was requested
April, 1938
He replaced Dr. George W. Wood, who had served on a part-time
basis for nearly 20 years. Dr. Hugunin remained on the staff un- til his death in 1967.
The Children" s library had 3,200.volumes, with a circulation of 30,000 books and periodicals annually. The staff owned 2,QOO volumes, besides a small medicril library.
Population had increased to 2,426.
1949 The name "Minnesota School for Feeble Minded and Colony for
Epileptics," which had remained unchanqed since 1906. was modified
by legislative action to "Minnesota School and Colonv."Under the leadership of Gov. Luther Youngdahl, the State embarked
on an Ambitious Mental Health Pronram whose impact was immediHtely
felt at the institution. "Attendants" re-classified as "Psychiatric Aides." In September, an orientation and inservice
traininn WRS instituted for Aidp.270 were required ., to attend, and the lectures were open to· other employees who miaht be interested. A nursp. instructor WRS employed. SnciRl sp.rvice
staff was increased from one to three. A psychologist was
the first since Fred Kuhlmann hHd been moved to St. Paul
in 1921.
1955
traininn WRS instituted for Aidp.270 were required ., to attend, and the lectures were open to· other employees who miaht be interested. A nursp. instructor WRS employed. SnciRl sp.rvice
staff was increased from one to three. A psychologist was
the first since Fred Kuhlmann hHd been moved to St. Paul
in 1921.
1955
The legislature appropriated money to replace the old Main Building with five buildings. It also changed· the name of the institution to State Hospital, thus removing the
concept of a "colony" with which it had been associated for 50
years.
Population attained its high in mid-year: 3355.
The Ramsey County Tuberculosis Preventorium was leased by the state in order to create additional institution space for the mentally retarded. Re-named Lake Owasso Children's Home,
Population attained its high in mid-year: 3355.
The Ramsey County Tuberculosis Preventorium was leased by the state in order to create additional institution space for the mentally retarded. Re-named Lake Owasso Children's Home,
1957
Dr·. H. H. Bruhl, staff pediatrician, undertook a· study of
mentally retarded patients with a diagnosis. of phenylketonuria.
A newly-developed diet had been found effective in preventing
children with this inherited characteristic from becoming re-
tarded. Bruhl set out to learn its possible e.ffects on those
"already severely. affected. The biochemical studies involving
PKU the first in a series of research programs that Bruhl
conducted over the next 15 years. It was the first active
period of research at the institution since the Rogers-Kuhlman
era· (1910-1920).
Dec 1957 A patient discovered to'be mlssing this bitter cold day set
off an extensive round-the-clock search for the next two weeks. His body was .only (in Walcott township) after a massive shoulder-to-shoulder search was organized, involving
many employees and community volunteers.
Dec 1957 A patient discovered to'be mlssing this bitter cold day set
off an extensive round-the-clock search for the next two weeks. His body was .only (in Walcott township) after a massive shoulder-to-shoulder search was organized, involving
many employees and community volunteers.
July 14, 1958
Transfer patients to the new Brainerd state School and
Hospital was begun according to a plan to regionalize the three
state mental retardation institutions at Faribault, Cambridge,
and Brainerd. Faribault to serve the southernmost 36 counties. Approximately 500 were to be transferred to Brainerd buildings were completed there. However, the first were designed for those of relatively high functional ability, and so the most capnhle patients who were to be transferred left first. This resulted in a considerable loss of patient labor and a for more. staff help to care for the more severely retarded who then were admitted to Faribault. There was a simultaneous of paticnts Faribault and Cambridge to effect the regionalization plan. By 'June 30, 1960 a total of 350 patients had been transferred from Faribault to the other institutions.
the next four years the institution's popula-
tion was reduced by 1,000; by June 30, 1972, there were 1,463
residents
and Brainerd. Faribault to serve the southernmost 36 counties. Approximately 500 were to be transferred to Brainerd buildings were completed there. However, the first were designed for those of relatively high functional ability, and so the most capnhle patients who were to be transferred left first. This resulted in a considerable loss of patient labor and a for more. staff help to care for the more severely retarded who then were admitted to Faribault. There was a simultaneous of paticnts Faribault and Cambridge to effect the regionalization plan. By 'June 30, 1960 a total of 350 patients had been transferred from Faribault to the other institutions.
June 30, 1968
Dr. E. J. Engberg retired as Superintendent; he had served
since July 1, 1937. Not especially innovative, he was neverthe-
less widly respected. "Those who worked with him and knew him
for many years•••will greatly miss his leadership, his. keen
understanding of the mentally retarded,and his patience and help-
fulne·ss. His sensitivity to .the needs of our and their
families was one of his and much appreciated gift
since July 1, 1937. Not especially innovative, he was neverthe-
less widly respected. "Those who worked with him and knew him
for many years•••will greatly miss his leadership, his. keen
understanding of the mentally retarded,and his patience and help-
fulne·ss. His sensitivity to .the needs of our and their
families was one of his and much appreciated gift
Aug 19 1968
In accordance with plans developed.by the Department of Public
Welfare over the previous two years, the transfer of 380
residents from Faribault t.o the newly estabLj.she,d Minnesota
Valley Social Adaptation Center at St·. Peter state Hospital was
begun. The' plan, c'alled for creation of units' for the
mentally 'retarded on the various state hospital campuses and was
a result of greatlY,improved treatment of the mentally and
consequent availability of space.
Subsequently,' 107 residents were transferred to Hastings State
Hospital, 191 to Rochester, and smaller numbers to Moose Lake
,
Welfare over the previous two years, the transfer of 380
residents from Faribault t.o the newly estabLj.she,d Minnesota
Valley Social Adaptation Center at St·. Peter state Hospital was
begun. The' plan, c'alled for creation of units' for the
mentally 'retarded on the various state hospital campuses and was
a result of greatlY,improved treatment of the mentally and
consequent availability of space.
Subsequently,' 107 residents were transferred to Hastings State
Hospital, 191 to Rochester, and smaller numbers to Moose Lake
nd Fergus falls. These transfers coincided with a quickly ex-
.panding program to develop community residential resources
Nov 1968 The institutions farming operations (feed crops, vegetable
gardens, piggery, dairy) were completely closed down. The dairy herd was auctioned off on November 25 and 26." "A,l
the farm has been profitable ••• with a 'greater number of able
patients returning to their home community or to other
facilities•••the farm no longer serves economically or thera-
peutically the purposcfor which it was established several
decades ago."
A Cooperative Vocational Rehabilitation Program was developed between the institution and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Staff was furnished by both agencies to provide vocational evaluation, counseling, and for residents.
Dr. Roget Johnson resigned as 'Medical Director and was replaced
by Dr.'H. H. Bruhl. a few months, and with the blessing
of the Department of Public Welfare, the dual administration was extende,d to a triple administration of Hospital Medical' and Program Director. The 'latter position was filled by Arnold A. Madow, formerly the Chief Psychologist.
1970 the opening of a unit for the mentally retarded at the
Rochester State Hospital, residents began transferring there•
Faribault's receiving district was reduced to Hennepin, Dakota,
Rice, Steele, and Freeborn counties.A Federal program of medical assistance to the disabled began
paying the major share of the cost of care in the institution
for eligible residents.
Closing of the Owatonna State School resulted in-the transfer of a number of students and 20 employees to Faribault. A special program for residents with autistic behavior was started in Laurel. A variety of professionals, technicians,
Closing of the Owatonna State School resulted in-the transfer of a number of students and 20 employees to Faribault. A special program for residents with autistic behavior was started in Laurel. A variety of professionals, technicians,
June 19, 1970
A Cooperative Vocational Rehabilitation Program was developed between the institution and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Staff was furnished by both agencies to provide vocational evaluation, counseling, and for residents.
Dr. Roget Johnson resigned as 'Medical Director and was replaced
by Dr.'H. H. Bruhl. a few months, and with the blessing
of the Department of Public Welfare, the dual administration was extende,d to a triple administration of Hospital Medical' and Program Director. The 'latter position was filled by Arnold A. Madow, formerly the Chief Psychologist.
Shattuck School Campus photo taken by Paul H Weaver CA 1940
St Mary's School campus CA 1940 Paul H Weaver
