Johnson County Historic Poor Farm

The 1855 Johnson County Historic Poor Farm is a window to nineteenth century definitions and policy regarding social problems, both perceived and real. The need to care for the impoverished and people with mental illness was established in the United States in the 1820s as a duty of the state and local governments. This duty was recognized early in Johnson County history. The County chose first to contract care, usually from local physicians. In 1855, the Johnson County supervisors decided to procure 160 acres on the edge of Iowa City for a “poor farm” to provide systematic care with economy.

Early care for the impoverished and people with mental illness was crude by modern standards, reflecting the prevailing attitude that fresh air and work would be good for the “poor unfortunates.” From the earliest days, residents were expected to complete farm chores to the extent of their abilities. The farm was designed to be self-supporting and the labor of the residents would help compensate the county for their care. Crop farming and dairy production were primary functions of the farm until the 1960s.

Today, the only surviving buildings are the early twentieth century dairy barn, a late nineteenth century barn built to the west, five smaller buildings, the “insane” wing, and the cemetery. The 1859 “First Johnson County Asylum” wing is restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Though unused for many years, the buildings and acreage have received basic maintenance and many of the original features are intact including a brick cistern outside the horse barn. A unique stock watering system is still in place inside the smaller buildings and the milking barn still has its equipment, stanchions, feed boxes, separating room, cooler, and silo.

The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm site is important to Iowa’s history, telling the story of the county’s care for its citizens from the earliest days until today. The county’s first facility is the asylum and a few hundred feet to the east is the county’s most recent facility, Chatham Oakes, which was built in 1964 (now privatized). Each county in Iowa had a poor farm and the tradition is well represented by the Johnson County farm, which may well be the only remaining intact example.

Visit the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm website for more information.

Directions

4811 Melrose Ave
Iowa City, IA 52246

Hours

Open by appointment only.

Admission is free.

Guided tours of the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm site are available by request and include information on the site’s history as well as present-day programs and partnerships. After completing the tour request form, the Johnson County Historical Society will reach out to the contact information given to schedule and confirm your tour date and time. Click here to request a tour.