Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Madison County Poor Farm
Among the brick buildings added to the complex over the course of a half century were the superintendent’s house, a building for the insane, a hospital, a home for the blind, and a large residence hall with separate wards for men and women. The name was changed to the Madison County Home in 1912 when the supervisor reported that many of those in need refused to enter because of the stigma attached to the name. In 1971, the complex became the Madison County Shelter Care Home. The last buildings on this site were torn down in 2009 to make way for a public service building for the city of Edwardsville. The Poor Farm’s cemetery remains on the west side of the property.
Erected 2020 by The City of Edwardsville and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 38° 48.502′ N, 89° 57.337′ W. Marker is in Edwardsville, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is on West Schwartz Street west of South Main Street (Illinois Route 159), on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the grounds of the City of Edwardsville's Public Safety building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 South Main Street, Edwardsville IL 62025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Governor Charles Deneen (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Thomas Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor John Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Ninian Edwards (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Edward Coles (within shouting distance of this marker); Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benjamin Stephenson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of Dr. Thomas R. Yates (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwardsville.
More about this marker. The marker was dedicated on October 18, 2020, along with the nearby Pogue Store marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 23, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on December 25, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.