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HomeMy WebLinkAbout92-0523 Farm Colony oSa3 Carr w, eoicsHV, RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE .ARMY, CORP OF ENGINEERS, CHICAGO DISTRICT, AND THE ILLINOIS STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE FOR THE FORMER FARM COLONY BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that Larry L. Rice, City Manager, be and is hereby authorized and directed to concur in the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement Between the Department of the Army, Corp of Engineers, Chicago District, and the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office on behalf of the City of Elgin to market the structures determined historically significant for adaptive reuse, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference. s/ George VanDeVoorde George VanDeVoorde, Mayor Presented: May 23, 1992 Adopted: May 23, 1992 Vote: Yeas 7 Nays 0 Recorded: Attest: s/ Dolonna Mecum Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk SPEED MESSAGE TO FROM cf)e..4, u� (Gfer,., • '#��.. ,�..,Y _ ../— ...s.-•a:+��'t`.�fi'.`-.,A„tir +g ;w,. s"'�1..::. «.j^F'h:'�-c.�, �..�w ;:'+`'t:i'' =��r;,�, �.,,.. ;..''a�_ ,_�� '4°iT" """Y. .h''� ';'rF.-' �< —_»�. � ,� ..,c'�iT'`r `f'.!a.` '%L- > 1.,:;4•�.:� } "• r:""rw:-4"•3�i•. SUBEGT: C,�b i - • r'A• •; 7...• kk -;�yW'a�r ��;` _ Al ..f' <r r'� r_.• {r� ti .cF �c,"'-,�1 '"°u`..f-i. " ,�� ,p 4'�•,. ,�„rjRr..,: { w-) 'v ) :..ice d��E3 s°:. '�8 vkr. �S.�bi L5+`i. e �. '!� .�j.�^``z'�k�A�� ..�.., ai.4� /s#sicc.� i. `t[t._ ,.2+5 �S=S�S.•.ti��.,'cr.C� s.:'' k•': ..d: a. :I.- '.�,..�.. ...`/' -_. DA 1 // /19 3 2' 'L �c�.- C�dz.�� rdA ( &�Zeza�"-eV) ? C.6k bLdy 9 _2_, 9- r-&" (7,65)1,7 I?ffa.ded. Please_ hots that City receives only- a copy of I CiA '`_ f9/thou9 cit si3ned, (Larry ;Ce) - FormQi parries to agree rneirt are eon s,d er red Lei Corps ' Stale. N /stork }�1 e-serva.1'io /genc SIGNED gvL&. ORIGINAL Wilson Jones•Car000eu•MACE IN USA 6,1. • • • • I . i ^ • al. \ l MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS CHICAGO DISTRICT AND THE ILLINOIS STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE FOR THE FORMER FARM COLONY, ELGIN STATE HOSPITAL, ELGIN, ILLINOIS WHEREAS, the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Chicago District (CCOE) has determined that the issuance of a permit for wetland removal on the referenced site is an undertaking that will have an effect on the site, a property that is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and; has consulted with the Illinois Historic Preservation Office ( ILSHPO) pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended and its implementing regulations 36 CFR Part 800 "Protection of Historic Properties" and; WHEREAS, the City of Elgin (Elgin) participated in the consultation and has been invited to concur in this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ; NOW, THEREFORE, CCOE and ILSHPO agree that the undertaking shall be implemented in accordance with the following stipulations to take into account the effect of the undertaking on this historic property. Stipulations The CCOE shall ensure that the following measures are carried out: 1. The three existing dormitory structures, kitchen/dining hall/utility plant and water tower along with the associated grounds of the former Farm Colony shall be documented by Elgin in accordance with Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) standards within one calendar year of signing this MOA. A. Level 1 documentation will be required. Level 2 will be acceptable if original drawings are available. B. Elgin may, through competitive bid, award the recordation contract to a consultant of its choice, provided the consultant is qualified to perform the work and agrees to meet HABS/HAER Standards . C. This documentation must be submitted to and accepted by ILSHPO prior to any disposition of the property. 9 D. A copy of the documentation shall also be deposited with the Elgin Heritage Commission. 2. Elgin shall, in consultation with the ILSHPO, prepare and implement a plan to stabilize and secure each of the former Farm Colony structures-i.e. the three dormitory buildings, and the kitchen/dining hall/utility plant. The water tower and utility plant chimney stack may be disposed per Elgin's plan after they are documented. 3. In consultation with the ILSHPO, Elgin shall prepare a marketing plan for the former Farm Colony structures described in stipulation Two above that shall include the elements outlined in attached appendix "A. " Upon the ILSHPO' s agreement with the marketing plan, Elgin shall implement the plan. - A. Elgin shall review all offers in consultation with the ILSHPO prior to acceptance. B. Elgin shall ensure that transfer of the property incorporates the covenant attached as appendix "B. " C. I•f no acceptable offer that conforms to the requirements of rehabilitation and maintenance is received within twenty-four (24) months of the plan's implementation Elgin may, with the written approval of the ILSHPO, transfer the property without preservation covenants or otherwise dispose of the property. 4 . Should the CCOE, ILSHPO or Elgin object within 30 days to plans, marketing offers, contracts or any other actions provided for in this agreement or to the manner in which this agreement is being implemented, the CCOE shall consult with the objecting party to resolve the objection. If, within fifteen working days the CCOE determines that the objection cannot be resolved, the CCOE shall forward all documentation relevant to the dispute to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Council) . Within 15 days of receipt of all pertinent documentation, the Council shall: A. Provide the CCOE with recommendations that CCOE will take into account in reaching a final decision regarding the dispute; or B. Notify the CCOE that it will comment pursuant to 36 CFR - 800.6(b). and proceed to comment. Any Council comment provided in response to such a request for dispute resolution shall be taken into account by the CCOE in accordance with 800.6(c)2 with reference to the subject of the dispute. • Any recommendation or comment provided by the Council pursuant to this stipulation will be understood to pertain only to the subject of the dispute; all responsibilities stipulated under the remainder of this MOA will be unchanged. 5. Any party to this MOA may request that it be amended, whereupon the parties shall consult in accordance with 36 CFR 800.5(5) . Execution of this Memorandum of Agreement and carrying out its terms evidence that the CCOE has afforded the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment on this proposed undertaking as it affects cultural resources and that the CCOE has taken into. account the effects of its undertaking on these historic properties . CORPS OF ENGINEERS, CH DISTRICT BY: AG[. Date:. 0- f Z DAVID M. , ieutenan Co nel, U.S. Army, District Engin er ILLINOIS STATE HISTORIC PR ERVATION OFFICER � // BY: �y��n.` Z. � W-- -- Date: 2C--1- Z C-1 'S Z CONCUR: C ty Elg By: . � D Date: .0 -g 54 - 9 Z . ACCEPTED for Advisory/' Council on Historic Preservation BY: ,,•�Jt'o. .1� ;aa�r/ Date: f ii--I 'Y?-- y ^l • APPENDIX A Each of the properties comprising the former Farm Colony structures at the Elgin State Hospital may be marketed separately or in toto. The marketing plan for the structures shall include, but not be limited to the following: 1. An information package about the property, including but not limited to: a. clear, representative photographs of the property; b. a floor plan of each building indicating available square footage; c. a. parcel map; d. information about the property's historic significance; • e. information about the property's cost, including the application of Elgin's budgeted demolition costs to the purchase price as an incentive; f. information about any development grants such as Community Development Block Grants, Community Development Assistance Program Grants or any other economic incentives available to the remainder of the larger development; g. information about Federal tax benefits if the complex is placed on the National Register of Historic Places; h. notification of requirements for the inclusion of restrictive covenants in the transfer documents; 2. A distribution list of potential purchasers or transferees. 3. An advertising plan and schedule. 4. A schedule for receiving and reviewing offers . • • APPENDIX B In consideration of the conveyance of certain real property, the }' four former Farm Colony structures: dormitories, and combined kitchen, dining hall and heating plant (insert pertinent building(s) here) associated with the Elgin State Hospital hereinafter referred to as the (insert pertinent building(s) here) , located on McLean Boulevard, in the City of Elgin, County of Kane, State of Illinois: 1) The grantee hereby covenants on behalf of itself, its heirs, successors, and assigns at all times to maintain and preserve the exteriors of the (insert pertinent building(s) here) in accordance with the recommended approaches of the "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation *and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" (National Park Service, 1989) in order to preserve those qualities that make the (insert pertinent building(s) here) eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. 2) No construction, alteration or rehabilitation shall be undertaken or permitted to be undertaken on the (insert pertinent • building(s) here) that would affect the historic architectural • = features of the (insert pertinent building(s) here) without consultation with and permission of the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer (ILSHPO) or a fully authorized representative thereof. t 3) The ILSHPO shall be permitted at all reasonable times to inspect the (insert pertinent building(s) here) in order to ascertain if the above conditions are being met. 4) In the event of a violation of this covenant, and in addition to any remedy now or hereafter provided by law, the ILSHPO may, following reasonable notice to the grantee, institute suit to enjoin said violation or to require the restoration of the (insert pertinent building(s) here) . The successful party shall be entitled to recover all costs or expenses incurred in connection with such a suit, including all court costs and attorney's fees. 5) This covenant is binding on the grantee, its heirs, successors and assigns in perpetuity. Restrictions, stipulations and covenants contained herein shall be inserted by the grantee verbatim or by express reference in any deed or other legal instrument by which the grantee divests itself of the fee simple title or any other lesser estate in the (insert pertinent building(s) here) or any part thereof. 1 • • 6) The failure of the ILSHPO to exercise any right or remedy granted under this instrument shall not have the- effect of waiving or limiting the exercise of any other right or remedy or use of such right or remedy at any other time. 7) The covenant shall be a binding servitude upon the (insert pertinent building(s) here) and shall be deemed to run with the :r land. Execution of this covenant shall constitute conclusive -evidence that the grantee agrees to be bound by the foregoing conditions and restrictions and to perform to obligations herein . set forth. 8) The ILSHPO may, for good cause, modify or cancel any or all of.Jic: -_: n•= . the foregoing restrictions upon application of the grantee, its • heirs, successors or assigns. _ • • t :f • R • • • is • • • • • - IPA ex- Elm 11 • - � Agenda Item No . c+lw. May 21, 1992 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Larry L. Rice, City Manager SUBJECT: Memorandum of Agreement with Illinois Historic Preservation Agency PURPOSE . To present for Council approval, a Memorandum of Agree- ment with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. • BACKGROUND The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has determined the structures on the Farm Colony property to be historically significant given the past use of the buildings as part of the Elgin Mental Health Center complex. Those of the struc- tures considered of most significance are the three brick dormitory buildings which front South McLean Boulevard, and the building directly behind in which the power plant was located. Because of this determination, the owner of the property must make efforts to market those structures for adaptive reuse. According to the Agreement, the City would be required to market the property for a period of 24 months . Signing this agreement is essential to moving for- ward with development of the Fox Bluff Corporate Center. In order to obtain necessary permits from the Corps of Engi- neers, the owner must agree to the terms of the memorandum of Agreement. These permits must be obtained in order to pro- ceed with construction of the roadway. FINANCIAL IMPACT Costs incurred by entering into this agreement will include continued security of buildings and marketing. • ' Mayor and Members of the City Council May 21, 1992 Page 2 S RECOMMENDATION it is recommended that the City Council approve execu- tion of the memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Corps of Engineers, Chicago Distri Lary'-L. RiceCity Manager LLR:amp • • To: The Elgin City Council 3/31/92 The Elgin Heritage Commission Subject: Elgin Farm Colony Complex I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the City of Elgin's continued mismanagement of it's architectural heritage. The most recent case of a valuable architectural asset being needlessly destroyed is the old Elgin Farm Colony buildings,which are located on McLean Boulevard. The architecture of these buildings was very tasteful, showing much planning and care in their design. The elegant Palladian windows, the generous use of decorative dormers, the tasteful brick work, the slate roofs, the copper gutters and copper flashing of these well proportioned structures expressed a quality, durability and refinement which has been virtually lost in today's low frills disposable architecture. And as the location is also of great importance in evaluating the overall appearance of any architectural work, the value of these fine buildings was considerably multiplied in a way that would not benefit lesser buildings. Of course, as I mentioned, the history of these buildings is quite unique to Elgin in their association with the State Hospital. It is my understanding that at times, these buildings housed local indigents. The residents were provided food and shelter in exchange for their labors on the farm. Elgin, through lack of planning and care for the future, has repeatedly plundered it's own public architectural heritage. I am not a rabid crusader who considers any old shack to be sacred. I just hate to see unique, good looking, well located, solid old buildings thoughtlessly destroyed, only to be replaced with some truly disposable and artistically insignificant new buildings. Elgin has enough bad buildings to rip down, why have they destroyed something which was so good? So, what should have been done with these buildings? They should have been creatively adapted to new uses. They could have been easily converted to either office or retail uses. Their prime location-, and inherent visual appeal would. have • ti - - made them desirable to many potential clients. With all of the land on the farm colony, the air traffic control center could have been built without disturbing the existing buildings. The City of Elgin could have stipulated that these buildings be saved as part of its agreement in the sale of the Farm Colony. With the proper vision for the future, and a thoughtful respect for the past, these buildings could have been easily saved as a legacy for future generations. • Hopefully, it is not too late, and the buildings can still be rescued. All of the value of these buildings could still be enjoyed by future generations. But now the cost would be tremendous, because the buildings have been stripped, and apparently gutted. Yet only a year ago, these buildings were in very good condition. This of course should make all concerned Elginites wonder, what will the city fathers, in all of their wisdom, allow to be destroyed next? Is there some way to stop this from happening again? Sincerely Yours, Charles Keysor 2 S. Jackson Elgin, IL 60123 • E 771' '7 111 °`E``�1� Memorandum 1� �q�lfD�\/ February 12, 1993 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Deborah K. Nier, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: "Farm Colony" Historic Documentation As you will recall, one of the conditions placed on the City by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency was to provide historic documentation of the structures and ruins at the Farm Colony site. The purpose of this documentation was to establish a historic record of the type of facilities exist- ing at the Farm Colony site and their use when the farm was operational . This documentation was required prior to fur- ther work to develop the property. Michael Dixon, Dixon Associates, St. Charles, was hired to provide the historic documentation required. This has been completed and has been sent to the Illinois Historic Preserva- tion Agency for review. The State Historic Preservation Officer, William Callahan, with whom staff has been dealing, has indicated that the documentation is in order. The documentation consists of three parts : a) Mylars of floor plans and elevations of struc- tures which would have been part of the Farm Colony operation. b) Narrative history of the Farm Colony. c) Field notes from the project. d) Photographic inventory of existing conditions . A copy of the historic narrative portion of the documentation is provided for your information. Copies of the other materi- als are kept in my office and are available if you are inter- ested in seeing this information. 011/4(&) Deborah Nier sistant to the City Manager DKN:amp Attachment t 4Aii III 11' t=' 9.Illl]1111111111J mom aui1 i,1111II It: 11111 1� r PALLADIAN WINDOW i FARM COLONY A HISTORY COMPILED FOR THE ILLINOIS HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY Michael A. Dixon, AIA DIXON ASSOCIATES, AIA/ARCHITECTS December, 1992 1 FARM COLONY By an act of the legislature of Illinois on April 16, 1869, the "Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane" was established. Rapid growth in northern Illinois, and in particular the Chicago area, had created a need for a mental health facility to be developed in Elgin. Elgin was a rapidly growing city of 5,500 people at the time. Incorporated in 1854, the City of Elgin was very new, even with a recently rebuilt business area. Most of its downtown was lost to a fire in 1865. In the interest of assuring that the new hospital be built in Elgin, the city donated the 155 acre Chisholm farm and the use of the McElroy Spring three- quarters of a mile west of the site. Adjacent farms were available for prices ranging from $125 to $140 per acre. The state offered $100 per acre for 323 additional acres with an implied alternative of legislative condemnation. The offer was accepted by the landowners. These farm properties had improvements consisting of dwellings, barns, fences and orchards. It was natural for farm operations to support patients from the facilities' inception. The purposes were to reduce operational costs and keep patients occupied. Like the city, the nearby landowners also acceded to the trustees' wishes. An additional 323 acres were acquired at the $100 price, and the way was cleared to begin construction. t 1 Nine architects submitted plans for what is now the hospital's Center Building, today a landmark along Illinois Route 31. S.V. Shipman of Madison, Wisconsin, was selected as architect and on March 17, 1870, the north wings of the Center Building were advertised for bids. The W. F. Bushness Co. of Mendota bid low on the Center Building north wings at $124,000, but their bid was uncomfortably close to the $125,000 appropriated by the legislature. The trustees of the Northern Illinois Hospital brought their problem directly to Illinois Governor John M. Palmer and were given the green light to proceed. The first of many difficulties encountered in building the hospital occurred even before work began. Free delivery of materials over the Chicago North Western Railway system as negotiated with the City of Elgin, was refused. The trustees maintained that the city agreed to pay full freight costs, but the railroad claimed the city was liable for only $3,000. Threats of litigation followed and the railroad agreed to deliver at two-thirds the normal freight rate. Anticipating steady progress, the trustees added the cost of the central and south wings of Center Building to their 1871-72 biennial budget, which totaled $374,335.26. Only $33,750 of that amount was budgeted for maintaining the anticipated 150 occupants of the north wings upon completion in November of 1871. This amounted to a total cost of $225 per patient per year. The great Chicago Fire of 1871 severely hampered progress on the north wings. Its flames consumed the stock of John Davis & Company, subcontractor for the 2 hospital heating plant. Reordering the equipment delayed admission of the first patients until April 3, 1872. Lack of heat did not postpone formal opening and inspection of the building, however, and the ceremony took place on an icy February 2, 1872. Present at the 1872 dedication were Governor Palmer, the State Boards of Charities from Illinois and Wisconsin, and Dr. Edwin A. Kilbourne, Superintendent of the new Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane, at Elgin. Dr. Kilbourne noted that "the reception at that time, though not lacking in cordiality, was of necessity somewhat lacking in warmth." Hardly had the heating problem been remedied before an equally threatening situation arose. The McElroy Spring, which had been provided by the City with an expected daily output of 50,000 to 80,000 gallons, began to go dry. The spring was apparently failing because of a two-year drought which had hit the area. The water of the nearby Fox River was considerably more potable in 1872 than it is today, however, and Dr. Kilbourne turned there for the hospital's supply. Emergency installation of a steam-driven pump and pipeline was completed in July, and two teams of horses drew tank wagons back and forth around the clock to keep the hospital supplied during the interim. Dr. Kilbourne quickly set about convincing the legislature to appropriate funds for completion of the center and south wings of the building. He reported that the north wings could accommodate 182 patients, rather than the expected 3 150. Citing economy of scale, he argued that he could not begin classifying patients into property treatment groups with less than half of his facility completed. Dr. Kilbourne did not rely on logic alone to sway an obdurate legislature. With noticeable flamboyance, he quoted Governor Seward of New York to claim that "Nationals are never impoverished by their charities!" Along with funds for completing the Center Building, Dr. Kilbourne requested such special appropriations as $1,000 for a library, $2,500 for horses, carriages and sleighs, and $1,000 for musical instruments. Legislatures being legislatures, Dr. Kilbourne did not get everything he asked for. Appropriations for completing the hospital building, however, were approved and bids were received for the center and south wings on June 16, 1873. Two days later, a $206,000 contract for construction was awarded to Fish, Stephens and Sorenson of Madison, Wisconsin. The contractor broke ground on July 1, 1873 and completed the massive building by July 30, 1874 -- a period of just 13 months. The Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane, north, south and center sections, was finally complete at a total cost of $330,000. The legislature, however, while appropriating money for remaining construction, neglected to provide funds for the care of the additional residents. The newly-completed sections stood vacant until April 1, 1875.2 The Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane, in 1910 called the 4 Elgin State Hospital and, in recent years, called the Elgin Mental Health Center, holds a heritage which can trace care and treatment in mental health from its pioneer days to modern advancements. The facility is the second oldest state hospital in Illinois. Significant events at the Northern Illinois Hospital/Elgin State Hospital which had effects on mental health care on a national scale: * In 1906 the superintendent, Dr. V. H . Podasta, ordered that the mechanical restraint Utica Cribs be removed from use. Twenty-seven such devices were in use at the facility. * Also in 1906 an intern program for physicians was instituted and a training school for nurses and attendants was established at the facility. Dr. Podasta felt that a mental hospital should ben an educational center "for the practical education of young physicians serving as interns" and should be "a properly conducted training school, in the education of all employees, particularly nurses and attendants. Most of these employees sooner or later settle down in various parts of the State and, if properly informed regarding the causation and nursing of early insanity, should be of assistance to their friends and neighbors, being able to properly advise and assist in every new or borderland case. In that way, the training school for nurses, which is a matter of absolute necessity for the institution itself, may become of further value to the State."3 5 * In 1912 the first isolation cottage for tubercular patients was completed. Tuberculosis accounted for almost one-fourth of the hospital's death rate. * In 1916, the Elgin State Hospital became a "self-contained" community. The food supply was furnished by the farm, water from its own wells and electric power was generated by its own generating plant. Employees lived on the grounds. Superintendent Dr. H. J. Gahagan encouraged the employment of patients on the hospital labor force, considering it both efficient and therapeutic. He stated that "it is necessary for us to devise some means and ways to prevent the rapid deterioration consequent to enforced idleness. Work is not only beneficial to the recovery type, but it has proved highly satisfactory in the chronic forms by directing a mind from the fixed routine of diseased thought, the entire elimination of which is a frequent result, and the supposed chronic case converted to a recovery. It has been my endeavor to encourage occupation therapeutics in that each department of the hospital will have its full quota of patient labor.* Dr. Gahagen stressed the coordinated management of the self-contained community. In particular, the farm was to be vital to the existence of the state hospital. At the farm, berry 6 season was the busiest time of the year and patients would plant a 75 acre garden which supplied the hospital with fruits and vegetables for an entire year. The poultry department, which stocked 600 fowl in 1916, was tended exclusively by patients. More than 100 hear of cattle saved the hospital the expense of purchasing milk, while other stock included sheep, pigs and horses. * Also in 1916, superintendent Gahagan abolished all forms of mechanical restraint, canvas suits and seclusion procedures. * The "Elgin Papers' were published in 1936. They were the result of research into psychological and psychiatric causes of mental illness completed by the Elgin State Hospital staff in conjunction with Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and Loyola University. * Tranquilizer studies were conducted at the Elgin State Hospital in the 1950's and by the early 1960's, the use of shock therapies was discontinued as drugs proved more effective. During the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane's first decade, a charitable contribution called the Burr Fund was established which continues to this day. Jonathan Burr had died in Chicago on February 4, 1869, leaving a will granting his estate be held in trust, the income from the 7 land going to provide amusements and comforts which could not be otherwise provided by the state. A codicil in the will stipulated that Burr's heirs and assigns were to hold his estate "until such time as an insane asylum shall be organized, located and established in the northern part of Illinois."s Cook County had erected an insane asylum during 1869 and 1870, and laid claim to the Burr bequest. Northern Illinois Hospital contested their claim, but the lower courts ruled in favor of Cook County. It wasn't until June of 1878 that the issue was resolved when the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Elgin facility. The estate consisted principally of a brick store and lot on Randolph Street, between LaSalle and Fifth Avenue, together with slightly over $10,000 invested in City of Chicago water bonds. Total value was $35,910, but Northern Illinois Hospital was to receive rental income from the land only. Today, the Burr fund provides an income in excess of $4,000 annually to Elgin State Hospital. In recent years, the money has been used in Behavior Modification Programs. THE NATURE OF AN ASYLUM, CIRCA 1880 Reprinted from the History of Elgin State Hospital, 1872-1972 Dr. Kilbourne's biennial reports to the governor and legislature were classic prosaic descriptions of the concerns of hospital management. Along with his reports, the superintendent attached lengthy statistical tables and data which give a detailed look at the nature and day-to-day workings of the hospital during these early years. • In 1886, for example, the highest admission rate by age was for those between 20 and 30 years, although a fairly even spread of all ages was admitted. Most patients obviously came from Illinois, although New York natives were noticeably numerous -- and newly admitted patients included natives of some 20 states and 13 foreign countries. Committal to a mental asylum in those days was mostly through jury trials at the county level, and during the 1880's more than 90 percent of the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum's admissions were through this channel. The remainder of admissions were divided between mittimus cases and transfers by certificate of a penitentiary physician. By county, most of the hospital's patients came from Cook, although the institution then served areas as far away as Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties. The vast majority of admissions were for first attacks of insanity, and diagnoses included such "apparent causes" as business trouble, loss of property, bereavement, disappointment in love, religious anxiety of excitement, political excitement and socialism, poverty, heredity, syphilis, intemperance and sexual difficulties. Virtually every expenditure -- no matter how small -- was included in the treasurer's reports. For example, in 1888, coffee cost around 15 cents a pound, a wool blanket cost $2.00, tea kettles cost $1,.80, a coffin cost slightly under $10.00, and a table could be had for just under $4.00. One line item lists six spinning wheels for $17.60. 9 There is no mention in the early hospital reports of the total number of employees. All that is recorded is the treasurer's report of wages and salaries, which, in 1881 for instance, totaled $36,564.49. It should also be noted that, while the superintendent expressed his views freely over all apparent shortcomings, he never mentioned a shortage of staff. It is documented, moreover, that patients played a large role in the work area. During one year, a total of 416 patients were employed in various ways, in and out of doors. Male patient employees did such jobs as cleaning, farm work, caring for stock, shoveling coal and assisting in the boiler and dining rooms. Female patients handled such duties as the mending room, ironing room, cleaning and knitting. Mental illness is far from fully understood today, but in the hospital's early days therapeutic potential was considerably more limited. Dr. Kilbourne once remarked on the unfulfilled hopes of patient's relatives. 'The friends of those patients who die in the hospital almost always cherish the hope, or rather belief ... that they shall see their loved one, if but for a moment, once again clothes in his right mind. And I am often asked, with most eager questioning, if it will not be so. They feel that if they could only be recognized by them -- if they could once more see in their eyes the old look of intelligence and love, and hear from their lips the familiar tones of affection -- it would not seem so hard to give them up ... it is exceedingly painful not to give them the assurance so earnestly coveted; but my own experience, as well 10 as that of others concerned with the care of the insane, forbids such encouragement." THE HOSPITAL FARM In the first decade of the twentieth century, the Elgin State Hospital (so named in 1910), a financial crisis loomed in regard to the hospital's operation. By 1908 the hospital's population had risen to 1,331 from the 300 patients originally planned for in 1872. The state legislature had appropriated $138 per year per capital, an inadequate amount due to rising operating costs. The hospital continued to function nevertheless. Two new patient residences, one of them at the farm, alleviated overcrowding to a degree. A functioning dairy farm cut milk and butter costs. But many of the buildings, now a quarter-century or more old, were badly in need of repair and maintenance. The hospital farm, located at the western edge of the grounds, was functioning productively. Meat production had been phased out during previous years, but in the 1908-10 biennium, the farm produced 117,467 gallons of milk and 17,055 pounds of butter, while the garden produced 1,902 pounds of asparagus, 66,909 pounds of cabbage, 20,375 pounds of grapes, 44,132 pounds of rhubarb and numerous other commodities. The Farm Colony was a valuable economic asset to the Elgin State Hospital, furnishing a great percentage of the food for the patient population while providing occupational therapy. 11 it EVENTS LEADING TO A FORMALIZED FARM COLONY Elgin State Hospital entered the decade of the 1920's with a problem that was becoming increasingly crucial at all Illinois institutions -- overcrowding. When Dr. Ralph T. Hinton resigned his Elgin State Hospital superintendency in 1914 to become managing officer at Peoria State Hospital, Elgin's population stood at 1,499. Dr. Hinton returned to the Elgin State Hospital in 1920 to find a census of 2,138. By 1923, this figure rose to 2,571, prompting the doctor to point out: "...the hospital is still seriously overcrowded. We are at the present time caring for approximately 300 more patients than we have beds for. The patients are sleeping on cots in the corridors. The admission rate continues to be high and there is apparently no let- up in sight." Overcrowding was hardly unique to Elgin. The "northern tier' institutions -- Elgin, Chicago State and Kankakee -- were all feeling the pinch of growing demands for mental health services. Chicago State had 5,846 patients in 1923, while Kankakee recorded 3,458. Even three new "model" hospital buildings erected at Elgin, Dixon and Alton State Hospitals were unable to accommodate the growing number of patients. At Elgin State Hospital, patients made some 15,000 blocks for construction of the medical-oriented new building in 1921. Today, Central Admissions occupies this structure. Partial relief from overcrowding problems came from several sources. Both Dixon and Alton State Hospitals opened in the years before World War I, 12 although Dixon opened originally as a state colony for epileptics. These institutions, and other more specialized public health agencies, took some of the pressure off the overcrowded hospitals. During 1923, for example, nearly a thousand new beds were added at Dixon. More than twice as many patients were transferred out of Elgin State Hospital in 1923 than were transferred in from other institutions. The mental health needs of returning servicemen were one reason for the growing population pressure on the state hospitals after World Ware I. Some 325 were admitted to Elgin State Hospital in 1923, and special veterans programs were established. By the large, however, the burden of providing services to the growing hospital populations rested on the hospitals themselves. At Elgin State Hospital, Dr. Hinton found this to be somewhat of a perplexing task. "It is not advisable to enlarge the hospital materially," he felt, "inasmuch as this would mean additional changes to the power plant, laundry and other service buildings." These, he added, were "already taxed to capacity." Instead, Dr. Hinton proposed repeatedly that a Farm Colony be established to productively absorb the growing population. "I am of the opinion that the best thing to consider for relief of the situation is the purchase of land adjacent to the hospital, and the establishment thereon of a large farm colony," he maintained. It was to be some time before the Elgin State Hospital Farm Colony on McLean Boulevard was to become a reality, although the then-existing hospital farm, which extended westward from behind Center 13 Building, was an active and productive phase of Elgin State Hospital activity during the early 1920's. A gardening project, for example, was seen by Elgin State Hospital administrators as a most therapeutic program for patient participation. In 1923, the garden furnished Larkin Children's Home with large quantities of the patient-grown vegetables. While lobbying for the Farm Colony, Dr. Hinton relied heavily on the hospital's Social Service Department to help ease population pressure. The department, begun in 1918 at several state institutions, was a direct result of aftercare problems that flourished during the pre-World War I years. Under the direction of a chief social service worker, the Social Service Department had five major responsibilities much like those borne by mental health workers today: 1) compiling accurate and complete case histories of patients; 2) ` compiling interval histories to determine if a patient's affliction is of a short or long term nature; 3) follow-up work to maintain the stability of "paroled" or discharged patients; 4) assisting in location and return of escaped patients; and 5) assisting patients with problems in the hospitals. While the Social Service Department could not keep new patients from coming to the hospital, it showed some success in expediting the discharge of patients already hospitalized. "I know of no agency that has done so much good as the Social Service Agency of our hospital," Dr. Hinton remarked in 1920, although he maintained that the new agency could hardly stem the tide of new arrivals. Patient activities at Elgin State Hospital were organized into an Occupational 14 Therapy Program in 1918, and this operation during the 20's became the forefather of today's workshop programs. "Occupation is and has proven to be of therapeutic value and should be carried on," Dr. Hinton argued. "A great factor in this work and one of the things frequently overlooked is the failure, after arousing the interest of the patient, to impress sufficiently the usefulness of the work in questions. Aimless work should be avoided as much as possible, and the patient should be convinced of the use of the occupation." The Occupational Therapy Program held some 3,100 lessons for more than 600 patients during 1922 and 1923, producing thousands of articles for use around the hospital, such as rugs, baskets and linens. Staffing sufficient numbers of medical personnel continued to be a problem through the 20's. In 1923, State Alienist Dr. Charles F. Read, who would become the next superintendent of Elgin State Hospital, reported that only 62 of the 78 physician positions were filled at state hospitals. Better pay and living quarters were needed to make state service more attractive to private doctors, the alienist suggested. Before his retirement in 1930, Dr. Hinton had managed to foster full scale development of what would become the hospitals's major economic asset -- the Farm Colony. Fences and drain tiles were installed to make the vast acreage west of the hospital arable. Crop rotation was begun to increase fertility in the soil. The farm's livestock department began building large herds of cattle and swine, enabling it to supply much of the hospital's food needs. 15 The Farm Colony. which would grow rapidly in years to come, was a source of both food and activity for an ever-growing population. Some 3,172 patients were served by the hospital in 1929, and that number was to increase steadily as the Great Depression deepened. Also, during this period, many Elgin State Hospital structures were getting old enough that fire was a very real threat. Before he left, Dr. Hinton sounded the need for an autonomous fire department within the hospital, saying, 'The Elgin Fire Department has always responded quickly to our calls and has rendered valuable service in the past. We believe, however, that a fire station adequately equipped with motor driven apparatus is a necessity. The hospital is too large to longer depend on hand- drawn equipment." In 1929, State Superintendent of Charities A. L. Bowen reported that the "...most serious problem that confronted us (the state) was the excess population in State Hospitals for nervous and mental diseases." Bowen itemized the extent of overcrowding ar various state hospitals, noting that at Elgin "four hundred patients were sleeping upon the floors of the corridors. All the dormitories had been filled with beds until it was almost impossible to move about on foot." Some relief, however, was to greet Dr. Charles F. Read when he became Elgin State Hospital superintendent in 1930. Ten "E-Type" cottage buildings were completed that year to absorb the patient overload and provide some 300 additional beds for future needs. The "E-Type" cottage was soon to become the prevalent dormitory style at Elgin State Hospital -- the buildings along Soldier's Road and on the north edge of the hospital campus are 16 predominantly of this design. Wilson and Pershing buildings were also constructed during this time to meet the housing needs of the hospital's veteran's unit. Later in the decade, Dr. Read would remark "...too much credit can scarcely be given to the famous "E-Type" of construction. Ten of these buildings, erected in 1928-30 at moderate cost per bed, are doing yeoman service in providing ample bed, dayroom and dining room space for a hospital population that was heretofore badly crowded." Relief from the problem of patient housing left the matter of employee housing unresolved. Dr Read, like Dr. Hinton before him, often repeated the request for additional staff residences. Such housing, he argued, was vitally important to maintaining a competent and stable corps of attendants and physicians. New staff residences were to be added in the later 30's, but by that time patient population had exceeded the 4,000 mark, and the question of sufficient patient living space again demanded more and more attention. Patient population at Elgin State Hospital showed unprecedented growth during the Depression years, as the following figures may illustrate: 1930 - 3,310; 1931 - 3,566; 1932 - 3,779; 1933 - 4,090; 1934 - 4,330; 1935 - 4,410. The economic futility of the Depression years further blurred the definition of Elgin State Hospital's responsibility to the public. Dr. Read noted in 1935 that "On account of hard times, it has been difficult to properly discharge many of these people, but with the approval of the Department of Public Welfare, it has been decided that State Hospitals cannot very well function as poor farms. Every bed is needed for mental patients, whose improvement and recovery depend to a very considerable extent on adequate provision of dayroom and 17 dining room space." Expansion was also carried out at the farm colony during the early 30's. By 1932, land purchases and rentals had expanded the farm to 840 acres that produced foodstuffs valued at more than $70,000 annually. By 1932, these included 88,000 gallons of milk from a herd of cattle numbering 130 head, 90,000 pounds of dressed pork and garden vegetables worth nearly $25,000. That brief span of years during which the hospital expansion had caught up with population pressure afforded Dr. Read the opportunity to concentrate his attention on medical breakthroughs. In 1932, he noted that"This (increased facilities), together with an enlargement of the medical staff, has brought about a condition of affairs in which medical work can be emphasized, and the patient can again enjoy the dignity of individual care and treatment." Dr. Read supervised liaisons between the hospital and Northwestern University, Loyola University and the University of Chicago Medical Schools. Massive research into the psychological and psychiatric roots of mental illness was launched during this time, much of it to surface in the "Elgin Papers" (1936), a published compendium of numerous research studies conducted at the hospital. X-rays, electrocardiograms, insulin shock, and many other aspects of a new medical technology unfolded during these years. "We feel that our patients have been given, during this year, better medical 18 and surgical attention than at any previous time in the history of the hospital,: Dr. Read wrote in 1936. An medical work was complemented by vastly increased psychiatric attention to patients. Major staff meetings were held ten times weekly to maintain up-to-date progress reports and treatment plans for the rapid flow of patients admitted to the hospital. Thoroughness was a watchword, and examinations for tuberculosis involved physicals and x-rays by six successive physicians. Yet, Dr. Read's freedom from overcrowding would not last. As already mentioned, the Elgin State Hospital population reached some 4,400 in 1935, despite the fact that the institutions's recommended capacity was 4,100. Steady admissions ranging from 150 to 200 patients per month were alleviated in 1936 by a transfer of some 600 patients to Manteno State Hospital. Continued building programs and transfers to other facilities were necessary, Dr. Read insisted, if Elgin was to maintain an effective treatment program. Numerous other signs of changing times were visible within the Elgin State Hospital "community" during these years. The hospital sewage plant was built in the early 1930's, and the present Assembly Hall with a 1,200 seating capacity -- long requested by Elgin State Hospital superintendents -- opened in 1935. Motion pictures, now with sound, were introduced and became a popular entertainment fare, as was radio, which was piped into all wards. The sound system to the wards also enabled the superintendent to make periodic addresses to patient and employee groups. 19 BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS DORMITORY BUILDINGS The three dormitory buildings are located on the west side of the Farm Colony complex along McLean Boulevard. The buildings were built in 1930 in a simple Neoclassical style, having a hip and gable slate roof with dormers, unadorned cornice and occasional Palladian window accents. The overall footprints of each building consists of a 47'-0" x 114'-0" middle section flanked by two 30'-4" x 130'-0" wings. The "E-Type" dormitory buildings were three of a total of eleven to be built at the Elgin State Hospital with similar structures constructed at other State of Illinois facilities. This carefully designed building type named "E-Type" because of its "E" shaped plan configuration, is credited with helping alleviate overcrowding in state hospitals by providing cost effective space, aiding in the care and treatment of patients and veterans. These buildings were planned by the state architect to care for one hundred patients each and to embody a very simple type of one-story structure with a commodious day room, flanked by a dormitory and service rooms upon either side, and with a dining room in the middle. The dining room was omitted on the three dormitory buildings at the Farm Colony since a separate dining facility was built. The walls are red brick with stone window sills and accents. The ceilings are 17 feet high with dormer windows for additional ventilation both in the day room and the wards. The interior walls are finished with glazed brown brick for the lower three feet with brick masonry above. There is a small finished basement under the day room with unfinished space beneath the entire building. 20 The buildings are elegantly proportioned and detailed with neoclassical elements. The high quality of materials used reflects the state's commitment to provide a pleasant environment for the patients. The dormers provide natural light into the airy high ceiling spaces while articulating a sense of scale and rhythm on the long exterior elevations. The "E" shape modified to a "C" shape by omitting the central dining room, created a protected courtyard for each building. Projecting vestibules provide identity to entrances and further articulate a pleasing sense of scale and proportion. DINING ROOM, KITCHEN and POWER PLANT Dining room, kitchen and power plant, located east of the three dormitory buildings was constructed in 1930 to serve as the central kitchen, dining room and power plant building for the entire colony. It is of the same Neoclassical style with many of the same elements and materials as the dormitory buildings. The patient dining room is a large trayed ceiling space with natural light provided by dormers. The dining room was expanded to the north at an unknown date and is of matching construction. Located west of the patient dining rooms is an employee's serving room, dining room, a covered loading platform and the large kitchen. To the east of the kitchen is a two-story room which houses the boiler and power plant equipment. The lower level consists of kitchen support space and food storage as well as unfinished pipe space. A brick masonry smoke stack approximately 118'-0" high is located to the south of the boiler room. 21 DAIRY BARN The Dairy Barn was added to the Farm Colony complex in 1935 to accommodate the growing dairy stock. This carefully planned and detailed utility structure includes features to provide for all aspects of a dairy operation, including areas for milking cows, calves and bulls. Ventilation was provided by ten large roof ventilators and fresh air intakes located just under the roof eaves. The Dairy Barn consists of a 24'-0" x 52'-8" utility building connected to two identical 105'-0" x 36'-0" wings which housed the dairy stock. Each wing has a projecting middle section which houses the bulls or calves. The buildings are of concrete masonry construction with a wood frame roof. Each wing had a concrete silo at the east end which has wince been removed. BARN RUINS The barn which was located south of the Dormitory Buildings was the only structure documented that was not originally part of the Farm Colony complex. The barn existed as part of a farm that was purchased by the Elgin State Hospital in order to establish the Farm Colony. The remains of the 38'-0" x 100'-6" stone foundation gives evidence that a large barn of wood timber construction originally stood above it. The stone foundation dates the barn to some time prior to 1900. A concrete ramp on the north side was probably added at a later date as evidenced by complimenting concrete buttresses on the south side to counteract loading at the ramp. The lower level of the ruins had the remains of horse stalls and other stalls, all on a concrete floor. The wood deck of the floor above remained and was accessed by the ramp, an access scuttle from below and a small stair at the northwest corner. 22 CALF BARN The Calf Barn located just east of the Barn Ruins was built in 1941. The simple 28'-0" x 60'-3" concrete masonry structure had one 7'-0" wide door and two 6 over 6 true divided lite wood windows on the east and west elevations. The wood trussed roof clearspanned the interior space and dirt floor. The date, 1941, was etched in the peak of the north gable. PUMP HOUSE The Pump House was a brick masonry structure located near the northwest corner of the Barn Ruins. The simple Neoclassical style of the building reflects the character of the dormitory buildings. The gable roof spanned simply over the rectangular footprint of the building which measured 11'-11" x 12'-8". The building had one entrance at the north side which was approached by a concrete ramp. Two identical windows, 6 over 6 true divided lite with stone sills, were located on the east and west sides. The roof was of wood frame construction with asphalt shingles. The brick masonry was nicely detailed with a soldier course at the base and over the three openings. GREENHOUSE RUINS The Greenhouse Ruins are located east of Building No. 11 and south of Building No. 12. The rock-face concrete masonry base measures 26'-1" x 60'- 8". The base consists of three courses of block upon which the greenhouse structure (now removed) was attached. The steel pipe plant racks remain inside the greenhouse and are overrun with small trees that have grown within the abandoned greenhouse. four planting beds also of concrete masonry construction, lie to the east of the greenhouse and are also overgrown with small trees. 23 WATER TOWER The Water Tower located east of Building No. 9 and north of Building No. 12 is a steel structure approximately 128 feet high. It was constructed around 1930 to provide water for the new Farm Colony complex. The steel cylindrical holding tank has a slightly pitched conical roof and a convex bottom. A catwalk with railing wraps around the exterior of the tank and an access ladder extends from the roof down to the base. Graffiti is highly visible from the ground with the most noticeable graphic statement located on the west side of the tank. A five foot diameter pipe chase extends down from the tank to a concrete vault at the base. The tank is supported by four steel legs of trussed construction. The legs angle out slightly to provide stabilization, the dimensions between leg foundation are approximately 30'-0"/ A 16'-0" x 12'- 8" wood frame shed is located just to the west of the water tower base. 24 ,o FOOTNOTES 1. Letter from Elgin historian E. C. Alft to Dixon Associates, received on December 14, 1992. 2. The History of Elgin State Hospital, 1872-1972, (page 3) written in 1972. This history was prepared as a conclusion to the Centennial Year activities of Elgin State Hospital, which completed its 100th year of service to the State of Illinois during April of 1972. The history was compiled from the annual reports of the facility from 1872 to 1972. 3. The History of Elgin State Hospital, 1872-1972 (page 22). 4. The History of Elgin State Hospital, 1872-1972 (page 29). 5. The History of Elgin State Hospital, 1872-1972 (page 6). 25 r ., • -••:;.,.- . „.' ,c,:,i-•••.•it . 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THE FARM COLONY WAS A VALUABLE ECONOMIC ASSET TO THE ELGIN STATE HOSPITAL, FURNISHING A GREAT PERCENTAGE OF THE FOOD FOR THE PATIENT POPULATION WHILE PROVIDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.