- Ionia County -

Almshouse / Infirmary

The first residence for the indigent and insane of Ionia county was located in Ronald Township, six miles northeast of Ionia, and occupied during the winter of 1856-57. In 1870 a two-story brick home was completed at a cost of $10,000. It was another five years before the interior of the upper story was completed. This building was destroyed by fire on March 6, 1907. On September 5th, 1907, the county purchased a 326 acre farm in Berlin Township, 2 miles southwest of Ionia, from Chester Adgate for $16,300, the old county farm being sold to Frank P. Normington. By the time of the next Biennial Report a new two-story brick home had been built.

The home no longer exists, a victim of time and progress. The property is now a part of the Ionia State Recreation Area.