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hall), Volunteer Services ( Bolles Library), Main Building, Annex No. 1, Annex No. 2, Dining Room, Occupational Therapy Center, and the old kitchen. Ashley Hall was also demolished. Given the importance of the main building, its destruction was a very poor decision.
ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME
By the end of 1865, work had been completed on Israel 0. Beattie's mansion on Beattie Hill. Designed by Middletown architect Samuel H. Wilcox, the brick structure stood about where Horton Hospital's Tower Building stands. In 1880, concerned citizens suggested to the Board of Supervisor's that the county establish a children's home or orphanage so children would not have to kept in the poor house. The supervisors formed a special committee to investigate the matter. William H. Clark, Selah E. Strong and William B. Royce comprised the committee. As a result, the former Beattie mansion was purchased for $8,000 from the Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York, the owner at the time. An additional $2,000 was appropriated for remodeling. Work was completed in November, 1880, and the home placed under the County Superintendent of the Poor. It was formally opened February 7, 1881. On the first of January, 1882, there were 44 children in the home. In 1915, there were 28 children - 13 boys and 15 girls. Ages ranged from 2 years to age 15, and the average age was 8. Also in 1915, there were five staff members; a matron, nurse, laborer, laundress, and cook.
In June of 1917, it was determined that suitable placement for the children could be found elsewhere and the home be closed. Orange County Children's Home closed July 1, 1917. A proposal by two ministers to continue the home failed due to lack of necessary private financing. The abandoned home along with 8-1/2 acres of property were sold by the county at auction in 1919. The purchaser was the recently formed Elizabeth A. Horton Memorial Hospital Corporation, who were buying the property on which to build a new hospital. Some thought was given to remodeling the old Children's Home into a nurse's home and school, but an unexpected gift from Middletown industrialist George N. Clemson in late 1927 changed the need for that. The old home was probably torn down shortly thereafter.
ORANGE COUNTY HOME FOR AGED WOMEN
On May 21, 1884, a group of Orange County Women met at the Orchard Street home of Dr. Julia E. Bradner by her invitation, to discuss raising funds to establish a home for aged Orange County women who had no "one to care for them in their declining years." Through legal advisor James N. Pronk, the "Ladies' Home Society of Orange County" was incorporated August 12, 1884. Officers were elected on September 25, 1884, with Dr. Bradner as President. After two years of disappointing fundraising