Noble County Asylum
| Noble County Asylum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | 1860 |
| Opened | 1872 |
| Closed | 1957 |
| Current Status | Preserved |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Location | Albion, IN |
| Architecture Style | Italianate |
| Alternate Names |
|
History[edit]
On June 30, 1860, Jacob and Mary Foster deeded 80 acres of land, including buildings, to the Board of Commissioners of Noble County, to be used by the County as a Poor Farm or Infirmary. It was called a Poor Farm because it was farmed by the occupants who raised their own food. It was called an Infirmary because many of its occupants were ill or feeble with old age.
Washington A. Coon was employed as Superintendent of the Asylum. As time went on and the county continued to grow, this facility became inadequate. The Jefferson Township Infirmary was exchanged for 160 acres in York Township, about one and one-half miles northwest of Albion. The move to the new home was made June 2, 1872. After this date, the town of Mount Salem grew up in the area where the County Farm had been located. In 1873 Mount Salem contained a church, school house, blacksmith shop, and saw-mill. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad was being built through the south part of this area. William S. Hayes, editor of the New Era newspaper said, "There is not a saloon in the place, which speaks well for the inhabitants. The people are mostly farmers and are all making money. Some ten or a dozen couples met at the residence of John A. Singrey, on Singrey Avenue, last Friday evening and had a general good time. We understand they put themselves outside of fifteen cans of oysters, besides an immense amount of other eatables."
During its use, the property contained the main brick house, a hog house, a basement barn, a corn crib, a woodshop, and two small frame outbuildings. The property had a cemetery, now a part of Wright's Cemetery, at the intersection of Indiana Routes 500 N and 150 W. [1]
Today the building is used as residential apartments.
Images of Noble County Asylum[edit]
Main Image Gallery: Noble County Asylum
References[edit]
- ↑ Hassett, Kayla. "The County Home in Indiana : A Forgotten Response to Poverty and Disability." Diss. Ed. Vera A. Adams. Ball State U, 2013. Cardinal Scholar, 05 Apr. 2. Accessed 02 Dec 2014.
