By: Mary E. Mortimer
The first children’s home in Logan County was started by Joseph and Sara Chambers in their South Main Street home in Bellefontaine. Along with raising their own children, they took orphaned or abandoned children into their homes, including several babies that were left at their doorstep. The Chambers felt they could not turn any of the children away.
In June of 1884, the Chambers reported they had seventeen orphaned children in their care, including a one-month-old baby girl. Caring for the children was becoming increasingly difficult and they pleaded with the County Commissioners to build a Children’s Home. In 1885, the Commissioners purchased sixty-five acres of ground west of Bellefontaine for a new Children’s Home.
The home was built to accommodate 75 children and was completed and ready for occupancy the next year. Thirty-one children were housed in the home when it opened. It had two main floors, a basement, and attic. The dormitories were on the second main floor.
In December 1895, the Daily Examiner reported that the ladies of the Women’s Relief Corps had gathered donated toys for the children of the Logan County Children’s Home. “Each child received a book and toy. The list of toys included horses and wagons, dolls, dishes, balls, marbles, musical instruments, guns, pistols, hammers, ten-pins, games of every description, engines, building blocks, alphabet blocks, picture cards, and more. The W.R.C. ladies also set up a Christmas tree in the schoolroom and hung bags of candy and small gifts for each child on the tree. When the windows were darkened and the electric lights turned on, and forty-two little ones came trooping in, it was indeed a beautiful sight. Such a Christmastime was never before known at the Home.”
On May 14, 1907, a fire started on the third story of the home. The boys of the home quickly started a bucket brigade, but they were soon driven from the building by the fire. The city Fire Department arrived on the scene, but because of the lack of water, they were unable to save the building.
Fortunately, there was no loss of life, but practically all contents were lost. The children and employees escaped with only the clothing they were wearing. There were 23 boys and 19 girls at the home at the time of the fire. The children were all quickly placed in private homes or taken to the Children’s Home in Urbana and plans were made to rebuild.
A large amount of food was also lost in the fire, and Superintendent Curl lost his valuable violin and all the books in his library, but the office records were saved.
The new Children’s Home was designed and built by local Architect Harry A Fulton. The main section contained the administration and superintendent’s living quarters. On each side were wings measuring 28’ x 70’, and the dormitories were for the children. The school room was on the first floor and the basement contained the kitchen and storage room. The dedication ceremony for this home was held on January 27, 1909.
In December 1925, six circles of the King’s Daughters, the Bellefontaine Elks, and Big Four Athletic Assoc. collected and donated candy, nuts, toys, clothing, and a five-tube radio set to the Children’s Home.
Throughout the 1930s,1940s, and 1950s, the Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club sponsored an annual Christmas party for the children of the County Home. On Christmas Eve 1933, thirty-five children from the Children’s Home sang Christmas carols for the patients at Mary Rutan Hospital. Each child received at least eight gifts from Santa when he visited the home for Christmas. The Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club, Eastern Stars, the Sunday School classes of the Bellefontaine Lutheran Church, Church of Christ, and the West Liberty Lutheran Church, and several Bellefontaine merchants also donated gifts and candy.
In December 1940, nearly 200 people attended a bridge party at the Knights of Columbus lodge hall to raise Christmas gift money for the children of the County Home. At Christmas parties held at the Bellefontaine Church of Christ, children were given presents from Santa and entertained by magicians and musicians.
In the 1950s, the Bellefontaine Aerie No. 2166, Fraternal Order of Eagles purchased a new merry-go-round for the children, and they received a new 21-inch TV in 1954 from the Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club. At that time there were twenty-seven boys and girls at the Children’s Home.
Christmas fun was planned each day from December 18th until Santa arrived on Christmas Day. The programs, treats, and entertainment were sponsored by several organizations and individuals. In 1955, members of the Ohio National Guard stationed at the Bellefontaine armory hosted a Christmas party for the children with Santa and gifts.
The Junior Chamber of Commerce, “Jaycees”, sponsored Christmas shopping for the children. They raised money by selling Christmas trees and candy canes. Each boy and girl were given enough cash to buy Christmas presents for themselves, family or a friend. After shopping, a Christmas party was held at the Jaycee’s headquarters.
On July 16, 1958, the roof and third floor of the Children’s Home were damaged by fire. None of the 24 children or staff were harmed. The Thomas Construction Co. of Bellefontaine was hired to restore the burned sections of the home.
Throughout the 1960s, the Bellefontaine Jaycees continued their annual Christmas shopping tour. The Jaycees donated new a stereo record player and the Bellefontaine Police Dept. donated a new color TV for the Children’s Home.
The Logan County community continued to generously donate gifts, their time, and money to provide a special Christmas for the children each year.
In 1971, the Children’s Home building was razed, and a new 20-bed facility was built.
By December 1984, only two children were at the Children’s Home. When they left, one went home, and the other child moved to a foster home. The Children’s Home was then closed.
Now known as Logan County Children’s Services, their mission is still to respond to the needs of children who are at risk from abuse, neglect, or dependency. Through educational and professional programs, they work with families to provide a safe, nurturing, and permanent home for children.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
