Poor Farm

From "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher, published sometime after 1975.

The poor and the sick migrated to the new settlements along with the pioneers who had money and health. These less fortunate had to be cared for. After Scott County was formed, the Commissioners' records show that certain families were to keep and care for these individuals.

Between 1858 and 1860 James Campbell was allowed $500.00 to buy 110 acres of land to build a county home for the care of paupers. This farm was located three miles north of Lexington.

The County Commissioners gave Jacob W. Hallenbeck a contract to "build the county home which was known during these early days as an assylum for the paupers."

The building, 25 feet long, 10 feet wide and 10 feet in height, having two rooms of equal size, one window and door in each room, weather boarding, ceiling and flooring rough, single roof with oak sills (10 by 12 inches) was placed on six permanent stone pillars. A hole through the partition with a suitable stone crock in it suitable for a stove pipe to pass through to a brick stove pipe flue from the ceiling up through the roof. A stone crock at the bottom of said flue for the insertion of the pipe. Hallenbeck to be allowed $86.75 for work and materials when done.

December 4, 1860

J. W. Hallenbeck
H. F. Hallenbeck
S. S. Hardy, Pres.

The June court record of 1861 shows that the Board ordered James Paxton to weather board the northside and finish the west end of the house. Also seal for both rooms up to the joist, lay the upper floor in the west room and lay the floor on the porch. He was to present his bill for the same at the next meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

The home was used until 1879 when the Courthouse was moved to Scottsburg. With the building of a new county home in Scottsburg, the Lexington home was sold.

Also see Christopher Von Staden, superindendent of the Poor Farm for several years.

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