Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014, All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Page 101 Biennial Report of the State Board of Corrections and Charities 1873 BERRIEN This poor-house is situated on a fine farm, about two and a half miles east of Berrien Center. The house is a large, square, brick building, two stories high, with cellar kitchen in the basement, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 102 and is surmounted with a tower. More attention has been paid here to ornamenting the grounds than in most poor- houses, and the premises in front of the building are inclosed with a good picket fence. The building was erected at con- siderable expense, and is large, and in the main convenient, but in some respects, is badly arranged, the rooms of the pau- pers, and the keeper's rooms being in too close proximity. The rooms are very well ventilated, have high ceilings, and most of them are so arranged that they can be occupied by more than one pauper. Good provision is made for the separation of the sexes, except at meal time, and in some instances in the hos- pital. The building is heated by steam, which also furnishes good facilities for steaming food and washing clothes. A wind mill attached to a wall near the house supplies water for general use, and it is intended to convey water by it into the second story of the building. There are no bathing facili- ties, but good sinks and conveniences for the paupers to wash themselves. A dumb waiter conveys the food of the paupers from the kitchen to the dining hall. There are transom win- dows over most of the inner doors. There were eight insane persons in the institution, four of whom were confined in a small building near by at the time of the visitation; they pre- sented a very loathsome appearance. In this place were both men and women who were only separated by a narrow hall and upright wooden grates. There were two cells in the base- ment of the main building in which insane women were also kept. This would seem to be a most unsuitable place for the confinement of such persons. There were two deaf and two blind persons, and also four children under 14 years of age, in this institution. =========================================================================== Page 135 Biennial Report of the State Board of Corrections and Charities 1907 BERRIEN Infirmary one and a half miles from Berrien Center. Is a well planned two story brick building; is heated with stoves; well supplied with fire escapes; has good water supply, bathing facilities and fire protection. A detached hospital is well equipped. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================