In 1884 the infirmary had accommodations for 1000 patients. The construction was of brick and three stories in height. In front of the circle were the administration and the four dormitory buildings immediately in the rear was the central building, and on either side of this the hospitals and dining rooms in the rear of these were the kitchens and laundry houses, all connected by corridors. They consisted of nine separate and distinct buildings, connected by corridors arranged in a semi-circular form, with a frontage generally to the south. McGraw & Downey, who completed their part of the work in time for the institution to receive inmates by June the following year. The contract for the erection of the buildings was awarded in June, 1882, to Messers. Cochrane, the architect, and the designs submitted by him were adopted by the county on the 22d of September, 1881. In the report for 1878 it is stated that the Cook County poorhouse :is a rookery and should be torn down." The plans for additional buildings for the infirmary were drawn by John G. There were no halls in these buildings, the entire space being divided into rooms the stairways were either on the outside or in the center of the room. The heating was insufficient there was no ventilation the arrangements for bathing were so imperfect, there being no hot water, that during the winter months the inmates were not bathed even in summer the number of tubs was too small and they were inconviently located. The other buildings were all frame they were more like barns or barracks-immense areas of bare floors, crowded with cheap iron strap bedsteads.
The number of cells in this department was 21, 10 on the lower floor and 11 on the upper floor many of them contained two beds, The cells were about seven by eight feet they were not heated, except by a stove in the corridor, which did not raise the temperature in some of them above freezing point the cold, however, did not freeze out the vermin with which the beds, walls and floors were alive. The old insane department was of brick, with small barred windows, iron doors, and heavy wooden doors outside, with apertures and hinged shutters for passing food. There is a school upon the premises, which is attended by the greater part of the children between the ages of eight and 14. The inmates do nearly all the farm work, also the housework and make most of the clothing. The farm of 160 acres is worked in the interest of the county, the superintendent receiving a salary for his services. A new insane asylum in connection with the almshouse has been built. Of the manner in which the insane have hitherto been cared for nothing need be said.
The capacity is probably not over 450, while the number of inmates is sometimes as great as 700.
In the first biennial report of the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities of the State of Illinois, dated December, 1870, occurs the following:Īlthough the keeper of the Cook County almshouse seems to be a humane, conscientious man, who conducts the institution to the very best of his ability under the circumstances and surroundings, it is nevertheless for so wealthy a county a miserably planned and badly managed institution. At the time the building of the insane asylum, 200 feet south of the almshouse hospital, was contemplated. Fonda was physician for the poorhouse and insane departments. The building was of brick, three stories high and basement, and cost about $25,000.
By November, 1854, the county poorhouse was nearly finished. Additional land was purchased in 1860 and in 1884. The farm consisted of 160 acres of fairly improved land, and was formerly owned by peter Ludby, who located it in 1839. In 1851 the county poor farm was established at the town of Jefferson, Ill., about 12 miles northwest of Chicago.
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