Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled
Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011
1. Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled Marker
Before the 19th-century social reform movement, developmentally disabled people were relegated to almshouses and county poor farms where the “indigent, insane, epileptic and “idiotic” were housed together without regard to individual condition. Reformists advocated more humane treatment of the socially-dependent and by the mid-19th century had demonstrated the educability of the “mentally deficient” and opened homes for their care and training. In 1895, Wisconsin allocated $100,000 for the establishment of its first institution for the developmentally disabled. Located in Chippewa Falls on 600 acres of land offered by the city,
the “Wisconsin Home for the Feebleminded” opened June 17, 1897. The home, renamed the “Northern Wisconsin Colony and Training School” in 1923, provided care for children and adults and taught skills in self-care, farming, housekeeping, arts and crafts, and academics. In the 1970s, a new emphasis was placed on community care of the developmentally disabled, and the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled, renamed in 1976, began providing outreach 
Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011
2. Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled Marker
this page online
Erected 1996 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 330.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Places • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1978.
Location. 44° 55.858′ N, 91° 21.596′ W. Marker is in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County. Marker is on Forest Avenue north of East Park Avenue (County Highway J), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2820 East Park Avenue, Chippewa Falls WI 54729, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chippewa Springs (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Yellowstone Trail (approx. 1.2 miles away); Reverend Charles F.X. Goldsmith (approx. 1.4 miles away); Notre Dame Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old McDonell High School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Hiram Stores Allen (approx. 1½ miles away); The Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge (approx. 1.6 miles away); Oldest Commercial Building in Chippewa Falls (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chippewa Falls.
Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008
3. Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled Marker
Photographed By Keith L, October 14, 2008
4. Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 4,895 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
