Nodaway County Poor Farm
Before the 1930s, by state law, it was the county’s responsibility to care for its poor, elderly, and homeless. Many times these people were housed on farms where they could be self-sufficient. The county court decided who was an eligible resident. Residents were referred to as “inmates.”
Ann Curless was the first person admitted to the Nodaway County Poor Farm. She was a “permanent cripple because of her lower limbs being undeveloped.” On Average, the farm had twenty-three residents. They were responsible for household chores, grew their own food, sold the surplus, raised their own livestock, and produced their own goods such as soap and lard. The Nodaway County Poor Farm was established in 1871. It consisted of 160 acres and a twelve room building for residents. Because of overcrowding, a new “fireproof” brick building was built in 1907. Ironically that caught fire in 1924, forcing some of the residents to board in private homes. They finished rebuilding in 1927.
The "fireproof building, 1907
In the 1950s the federal and state governments took over responsibility for this care. Now the site is the Nodaway Nursing Home on Highway 46, on the edge of Maryville.
Under the additional resources tab there are some newspaper clippings about the county poor farm.