FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN'S ASYLUM
This institution, originally established as a sort of appendage to the Illinois Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, was started at Jacksonville in 1865 as an "experimental school for the instruction of idiots and feeble minded children."
Its success having been assured the school was placed upon an independent basis in 1871 and in 1875 a site at Lincoln Logan County covering forty acres was donated and the erection of buildings begun.
The original plan provided for a center building, with wings and a rear extension, to cost $124,775. Besides a main or administration building, the institution embraces a school building and custodial hall a hospital and industrial workshop and during the past year a chapel has been added.
It has control of 890 acres of which 400 are leased for farming purposes, the rental going to the benefit of the institution. The remainder is used for the purposes of the institution as farm land, gardens or pasture about ninety acres being occupied by the institution buildings.
The capacity of the institution is about 700 inmates, with many applications constantly on file for the admission of other for whom there is no room.