The Oak Forest Institution-Cook County’s 20th Century Poor Farm
Author(s): Rochelle R. Lurie
Year: 2018
Summary
Built at the height of the Progressive Era on over 300 acres of land southwest of Chicago, the Oak Forest Institution or Poor Farm was to be an example for the rest of the nation. Buildings designed by the architectural firm of Holabard and Roche provided light, space and services for the poor, elderly and sick that reflected the era’s emphasis on fresh air, wholesome food, medical treatment (especially for tuberculosis) and relief from the vices and overcrowding of city living. Richly documented, county, hospital and cemetery records chronicle the growth of indigent care in the first half of the 20th century.
Cite this Record
The Oak Forest Institution-Cook County’s 20th Century Poor Farm. Rochelle R. Lurie. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, New Orleans, Louisiana. 2018 ( tDAR id: 441551)
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Keywords
General
Poor Farm
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Progressive Era
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Social Change
Geographic Keywords
North America
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United States of America
Temporal Keywords
1911-1953
Spatial Coverage
min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology
Record Identifiers
PaperId(s): 950