State Public School for Dependent & Neglected Children 1886 - 1945

State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children 1886 - 1945. . You are on the campus of the former State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children. This state orphanage existed from 1886 to 1945. During its 60 year history, 10,635 orphaned, dependent, and neglected children were placed here. By the 1920's, it was the third largest orphanage in the nation. During the Depression of the 1930's, the orphanage housed 500 children., When the children entered the orphanage, they became Wards of the State. Ages ranged from babies to age 18. The mission of the orphanage was to provide an interim home for the children before placing them out for adoption. However, adoption rates were low, so many of the children were placed out on indenture contracts until age 18. Some children found good homes; others suffered difficult and humiliating experiences. While the intent was not to institutionalize children, many spent their entire childhood here., Siblings may have entered the orphanage together, but later were separated by indenture or adoption. Many were never reunited., By 1945, State Legislators realized such children were better served by immediate placement in foster homes. For the next 25 years, the school provided academic and vocational programs for the educable mentally disabled. After standing empty for 4 years, the City of Owatonna purchased this campus area in 1974 from the State and renamed it "West Hills". The thirteen original buildings today house city administration offices and other related city facilities. The farmland became the city's industrial park, and a local realtor purchased the remaining property on State Avenue.