Introduction
The Soldiers and Sailors Home is a collection of buildings that are located along Beech St. South of Shelbourne in Normal. Some of these buildings are over 100 years old, and was a home to hundreds of orphaned children since it's founding in 1867. The orphanage, which is comprised of many building, first opened its doors in 1867 and remained a focal point for many children's lives through its 114 year history. Ruth Cobb, author of "A place we called home," states that "the Home in Normal had its share of problems, triumphs and unpleasant events, and for the most part, seems to have made a positive impact on the young people who came to live there" (Cobb).
History of the Home
The Civil War was a long and bloody conflict that took many lives, consiquently this means that many children who's parents were killed during the war had no place to go. In 1864 Jesse Fell and others founders of the town of Normal started laying the ground work for the opening of a home for orphaned children of the Civil War. It must be mentioned that Jesse Fell also founded Illinois State University and several other towns in Central Illinois including Pontiac, El Paso, Lexington and several others (Ford). By 1867 thanks to Jesse Fell, David Davis and other generous donors, the Illinios Soldier's Orpans' Home had become a reallity and found it's place in Normal, where segments of the orphanage can still be seen today.
By 1869, the institution housed 180 children. The complex kept growing to accomodate more and more children in need. In the years following its opening, a kitchen, a boiler plant, hospital and industrial training building were added to meet the growing demand. The first school building, later named McKinley Hall, was completed in 1872 (Cobb, 2007). In 1899, they began to accept the children of any veteran who served the United States. By 1931, the institution expanded and evolved once again, and opened its doors to any child that was a ward of the state (McLean County Museum of History).
Changes in policy, particularly, the state's interest to eliminate institutionalizion of children and encourage the individual care of foster homes, ultimately determined the demise of the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School. The rising cost of care and dwindling number of children, along with the deterioration of building, also affected the decision to close their doors (Cobb).
The Name Change
From the opening of the orpanage in 1867 untill 1931 it was known as the Illinois Soldiers' Orphans' Home. During these first years the focus of the home was to take care of the children of dead and disable veterans of the Civil War. From 1931-1978, the name was changed to Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School. The name change reflected the institution's and state's commitment to accept any child that was a ward of the state (McLean County Museum of History).
Layout of the Complex
The extensive grounds contained several cottages that housed both girls and boys. The receiving cottage was built in 1916. In this building children would be checked in and quarantined upon arrival; this measurement was put in place to protect other children and staff. The process could last for several weeks.
The "Rows" were the cottages for boys and girls. Boy and girls were seperated and placed into approximately 20 different cottages were they were raised by both men and women, often married couples who had already raised children of their own.
A swimming pools and a scouts lodge kept children entertained in the early 1900's (Cobb).
Personal Stories
Known as "homers," children of the Illinois Soldiers' Orphans' Home have preserved history by sharing their stories and experiences of their time spent at the orphanage. In her book, A Place We Called Home, Ruth Cobb shares an impressive collection of first accounts and memories that have been recorded by those who knew the complex as their home.
Some of the stories shared are marked with sadness while others, reflect some fond memories. While it is widely acknowledged that institutional care is rarely, if ever, the best place to raise a child, the center was purposeful, and provided food, shelter and support for the most vulnerable population. Of those children whose voices have been preserved by Cobb, several recount the fear of entering the quarantine. Children often didn't understand why they were being seperated from their parents, and this fear was heightened when they were seperated again, from their siblings. Other children developed fond memories of their caretakers. One reported her caretakers taking her on trips and using their own car for transportation, reducing the embarrasment of being seen in the state vehicle. Children recall being well fed, too. Local produce and meats were often served to the children.
Over the years, many pets befriended the children, and during the summmer, many of the children participated in the local 4-H. According to Cobb, the elements of life at the Home varied greatly from one generation to the next. These differences were largely the product of the economic climate, as well as the effects of various political decisions and personalities that influenced the Home. The building will be demolished in 2016-2017.
Present Function of the Property
Since 1979, local businesses have settled into the complex. In the center of the grounds, resides a garden and playground for children and families who come to visit the complexes. The garden is maintained by a group of volunteers, and while the purpose of the complex has changed, the historical preservation has been maintained. Some of the buildings on the site of the former orphanage can be rented for events. If someone is interested the can go to http://www.normal.org/gov/parksandrec/facilities/onenormalplaza.asp, or call (309) 454-9639 for more details. Whether a member of the community or a visitor, it is worth the trip to visit and reflect upon the many children, staff members, and families whose lives were impacted by the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children Home.
Citations
Bloodworth, Liz. Kozak, Michael. Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School (ISSCS) Collection. McLean County Museum of History, Fall 2008. Web. 10 October. 2011. http://www.mchistory.org/ISSCS_Collection_Finding_Aid.html#history.
Cobb, Ruth. A Place We Called Home. Normal: Illinois State University Printing Services, 2007. Print
Mary Ann Ford. Pantagraph.com, November 9, 2008. Web. 12 October. 2011. http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_a71f40ba-17f0-545e-b1dc-0e2be2246f4b.html
One Normal Plaza & Community Activity Center. Town of Normal, 2009. Web. 10 October. 2011. http://www.normal.org/gov/parksandrec/facilities/onenormalplaza.asp
Haunted Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
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