Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet 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 116 Biennial Report of the State Board of Corrections and Charities 1873 OAKLAND This poor-house is in the township of Waterford, about two and a half miles northwest from the city of Pontiac, is located upon a farm of 137 acres, and can be seen from the Detroit and Milwaukee railroad. The house is a large brick building two and a half stories high. It was erected in 1866, and presents a very fine appearance. It is roomy and has facilities for the accommodation of many more than are usually provided for therein. There are thirty-six inmates, ten of them insane and five idiots, and also nine or ten old and feeble persons. There is a garden and two good orchards on the premises, but not much attention is paid to raising the smaller fruits. The prospect from the house is good, and it may be made a very pleasant spot indeed. In the upper part of the house, are small rooms with barred windows, specially provided for the insane. None of them, however, are kept in close confinement in these rooms. The house has a lying-in department in which six children have been born during the year. The rooms were clean and generally in good order. Five weekly newspapers are furnished to the paupers. We were accompanied on this visit by Hon. M.E. Crofoot, of Pontiac, and two of the super- intendents of the poor. =========================================================================== Abstract of the Reports Superintendents of the Poor State of Michigan, 1891 [42] Oakland. - The poorhouse and other buildings are located in the township of Waterford on the line between Pontiac and Waterford, and the farm, consisting of 137 1/2 acres, lies in both townships. During the last year about $350 were expended in extending and perfecting the heating works. All the buildings are always kept in good repair. Facilities for bathing are two good bath rooms, each furnished with a bathing tub and showering apparatus. Steam heating is in operation in the houses occupied, and is a success at a moderate cost. The venti- lation is more perfect in practice than theory. Paupers are given such care as common sense and decent humanity require. The food is abundant, clean, well-cooked and served in as great variety as the climate will allow. Clothing is comfortable, clean and decent. Lit- tle sickness has been the rule in this institution, and the physician has undisputed charge of all cases. All of the insane and idiotic under our charge are in good health and require little care and no treatment. Children do not remain in the poorhouse long enough to ever be educated in vice. =========================================================================== Joint Documents of the State of Michigan Vol. 2, 1899 [51] Oakland. - The poorhouse is located in the township of Waterford, on the east line, and the farm, consisting of 134 1/2 acres, lies in Waterford and the adjoining township of Pontiac. We have expended about $450 in painting and repairing the buildings the present season, and now everything is in good order. There are two bath-rooms - one for each sex, with regulation tubs and shower baths. Have attempted to warm the poorhouse with three hot air furnaces with both wood and coal burners. Within the last twenty years we have changed furnaces three times with but little improvement. We are now contemplating another change. We have had advice and related experience in about all the varieties of ventilation, by ventilating cranks, but there is nothing that we have tried that is as perfect, sure and reliable as a building finished with green lumber by botch joiners. It can be depended upon every time. Treatment of paupers is satisfactory to both paupers and public. The food served and the manner of serving it will compare favorably with the boarding-houses of well-to-do laborers throughout the country. The clothing is cheap, clean and comfortable. The care of the sick is precisely as the doctor directs. For the in- sane and idiotic there is a separate brick building well warmed when required, where they are restrained when necessary, which is not often. We do not allow children of school age and capacity to remain in the poorhouse. In an old county like this there is so little change in poorhouse matters that it is scarcely noticed. A large proportion of the in- mates have been with us for years. Of the forty-six inmates here at present, eight are between sixty and seventy years old, thirteen be- tween seventy and eighty, and four are over eighty, while of the six deaths last year, one was eighty-four, one eighty-one, one seventy- seven, one sixty four, and one sixty, a very good comparative exhibit of longevity. =========================================================================== Page 143 Biennial Report of the State Board of Corrections and Charities 1907-1908 OAKLAND Infirmary two miles from Pontiac. Is a large brick building two and a half stories high; bath rooms, lavatories and closets are pro- vided; is heated with steam; has good water supply and drainage; good fire protection and fire escapes; a detached building provides a hosp- ital. The house, at the time of visit, was well kept but the interior needed papering and painting. Better hospital provision should be made. =========================================================================== 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/ ===========================================================================