Eagle County Almshouse

Eagle County Almshouse
Established	1900
Opened	1901
Closed	1939
Current Status	Demolished
Building Style	Single Building
Location	Gypsum, CO

History

In 1900 the Eagle County commissioners launched an effort to find a property where aging and destitute citizens could live out their days. In December of that year, they purchased 195 acres, located in the Gypsum area, from Mary E. Hockett for $4,500. The action drew indignation from some sections of the county, but in 1901, Andrew Gerard won the poor farm contract and agreed to pay the county $350 per year to lease the property. In turn, the county paid him $4 per week for each resident on the farm. Three “wards” moved to the site and for the next 39 years, many county pioneers lived out their days at the farm.

By 1939, the federal government had enacted a system of care for the needy, old age pensions and Social Security. The Poor Farm, with only two wards in residence, was no longer needed. The site, which had been parceled down to around 100 acres, was sold to George Strohm for $5,000.