The Jeffersonville Orphan Home

    In the fall of 1876, a supper was given by the Masons of the city, and at the close of the evening’s entertainment it was found that quite an amount of eatables and some money were still in the hands of the committee. This was distributed to the widows and orphans. From this Mrs. S.H. Patterson, Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. McClure became interested in caring for the orphans of the place. A meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Patterson, where she was chosen president, Mrs. McClure, secretary, and Mrs. Caldwell, treasurer. In this manner was perfected the organization of the orphan asylum. The self appointed officers rented a house on Front street for a term of three years, and opened the institution with a little foundling. In two weeks two more children were received, and during the three years of this lease quite a number of children had been assisted. At the expiration of the three years’ lease sixteen children were inmates of the home. A noble-hearted lady, Mrs. Zulauf, donated to the cause three building lots, and on this a two-story brick house was built. This property consisting of the roomy and comfortable house and large yard and playground is located at 832 Meigs Avenue. The yard is about half an acre in extent.

    The institution is private, but it is supported by boarding the wards of Clark county. Its capacity is forty-five, but the present time there are only thirty-two wards being cared for. There are five persons employed at the home. During the history of the institution there has been five matrons, the second one, Mrs. Eliza Harrington, serving for twenty-five years. The present matron is Mrs. Julia Twomey.

Source: Baird’s History of Clark County, Indiana by Capt. Lewis C. Baird, 1909.