Johnson County's Poor Farm
Woman and man working at poor farm
From the Civil War through World War II, Johnson County's Poor Farm welcomed a diverse lot of residents. Some were elderly, other were young; some came with families, others alone; some were in ill health, and others were simply down on their luck. The Poor Farm opened in 1863 with eight residents, or inmates, as they were then called. Around 1900, a large multi-story brick building was opened for the county's indigent population. The structure was located on what is now the northwest corner of Ridgeview Road and 119th Street.
The county’s Poor Farm functioned much like a family farm. On the nearly 150 acre farm, residents grew corn and oats, and raised livestock — cattle, hogs and chickens. Residents of the farm canned farm produce and made butter and cheese for their own consumption. As a result, this farm, which usually supported between 15 and 40 residents, was largely self-sufficient.
Dog at the poor farm
The county hired superintendents to oversee daily operation of the farm. But as an agency of county government, the county commissioners kept an eye on things as well. In a 1904 article about the “county infirmary,” the Olathe Mirror noted that “Johnson County taxpayers may well feel proud of their possessions at the county infirmary and rest assured that their interests are being safely guarded by our country commissioners who make regular visits to the farm and have general supervision of the world.”
Traces of the residents of the Poor Farm are evident in records kept during the farm's operation. Mary Richardson was “sent to the Indians,” and a 27-year old man from Olathe left and “stole the county razor.” A man's entire family, including his 26-year-old wife and four children lived at the Poor Farm while he was in jail. And 19-year-old Elmer Miller arrived in 1916 “robbed and slugged.”
Johnson County's Poor Farm operated through World War II when other agencies of county, state and the federal government took over the role of the farm.
--ALBUM vol. 7, no. 3 (summer 1994)