"THE ANOKA COUNTY POOR FARM"

Established 1898-1935

Located in Anoka Township, now Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

This was a 240 acre self supporting farm, where the poor were fed and lodged in

exchange for their work on the farm.

From the "Anoka Herald" February 11, 1898

THE COUNTY POOR

     I have nothing against supporting the deserving poor. Anoka county as 11,181 inhabitants, 

and Isanti has 10,195. In Anoka county we paid over four times the amount that Isanti did for the 

support of the poor.  It looks as if we had a good deal poorer land in Anoka county or else a more 

shiftless kind of people,  or our commissioners have not got backbone enough to do their duty.  

There was over $500 worth of wood furnished last year, and nearly $300 for rent.  Now I have 

always been in favor of a poor farm. Now we have a poor farm, and if there is any law to make 

them go there.  I don't believing in paying the expenses of a poor farm and paying for fuel and 

rent at the same time to outsiders.

If the commissioners haven't got the backbone to do their duty, let us have the township plan

by all means.  The town supervisors have a better chance to find out who are deserving of help,

than the county commissioners, especially where the commissioners are not acquainted with the 

people in the town.    A.E. Norris, Oak Grove, February 5, 1898.

From:  "Anoka Free Press" Thursday, December 4, 1902.

ANOKA'S POOR FARM - Good Management Displayed.

     Among the public institutions of Anoka county there is none reflecting more credit

on the county and its management than the poor farm.  As equipped and managed today 

it testifies to an amount of good judgment coupled with public spiritedness that is seldom

met with outside of private business affairs.  It is not only self-sustaining, but is getting to

be a source of revenue to the county.

     About four years ago the farm of 160 acres with new buildings costing over $6,000 to erect

was purchased for $4,000, and about a year ago eighty acres of additional land was bought at

a price of $17.50 per acre-land which would readily bring $25 per acre at the present time.

This makes a farm of 240 acres, containing meadow, field and timber lands, with $6,000

worth of buildings, all within two miles of the city, at a total cost to the county of less than

$5,500.

     The manager, Matt Reiley, who together with his wife receive a salary of $40 per month,

has proved to be the right man in the right place.  Under his management everything has not 

only been kept up to the standard of perfection, but improvements of all kinds have been made.

Fields and meadows have been enlarged, yields have been increased and stock multiplied.

Meanwhile the buildings and premises have been kept in trim condition. And last though

not least, the inmates, of whom there are eight at present, have been cared for in a most

satisfactory manner. Their quarters, though small, are neatly kept and scrupulously clean,

and the occupants all express themselves as gratified with the excellent treatment accorded them.

     A system of hot and cold water throughout the building, the combined result of a windmill and 

a hot water tank, contributes largely to the comforts and conveniences of the place.

     This excellent state of affairs throughout, while due in a great measure to the excellent

abilities of the man in charge, are primarily attributable to the watchfulness and practical

ideas of the county commissioners.  They have reasons to be proud of their achievements in

respect to this institution.

     The following inventory, copied from the records, conveys an idea of the equipments of

the farm and the results of its operation.  By giving the figures for both 1901 and 1902 the

growth and increase during the year is shown.

       Inventory                     1901          1902

From:   "Anoka Herald" Wed. Feb. 20, 1935

COUNTY POOR FARM TO BE DISCONTINUED

    After about 34 years of service, the Anoka County Poor Farm will be discontinued

on March 1 of this year.

     At the last meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held February 9, it was voted to

discontinue the farm, as it had been a losing proposition for a good many years.

     The eight inmates of the farm will be taken care of by the town or city from which they

came, the funds to be administered through the local relief office.  The farm itself will be

rented and the equipment sold at auction.

      Since March 1, 1929, George Chamberlain has been in charge of the operation of the

farm.  Before that Sabin Smith had control of it.