Boulder County, Colorado’s Poor Farm and Hospital
During the late 1800’s, Boulder County was a microcosm of diversity; mirroring the state of Colorado, with it’s geographical mix of 40% plains and 60% mountains, and the variety of settlers suited to those geographies.
Discovery of gold and silver led to the development of the city of Boulder, at the base of the mountains, as a supply center to the primarily Cornish hard-rock miners. (1) The coal mines in the southeastern plains of the county attracted Catholic Italian miners, while the open plains attracted farmers and ranchers. The early city, containing a typical mix of hardware and mining supply stores, boarding houses and transport businesses, along with drinking and gambling establishments, was soon discovered by tourists. It also became a popular destination for tubercular patients seeking the healing mountain air and dry climate. Many city residents opened their houses to people requiring special care and doctors.
The University of Colorado opened its doors to students in 1877, bringing an influx of professional and educational backgrounds. With this conglomeration of social, environmental and economic backgrounds there were soon residents needing financial and housing assistance. Even then, progressive Boulder understood that these institutions, which could be costly, were also successful when serving people in need.
The exact details of Boulder County’s history relating to poor houses and poor farms are vague. They are scattered among local institutions, memories of older residents, occasional books and newspaper clippings. The first poor farm/poorhouse started informally in the 1870’s. During this time the county commissioners realized they were spending a lot of their time dealing with issues related to paupers and the insane. There was no county doctor, and people caring for these individuals were constantly asking for reimbursement for medicine and room and board. Although some of the indigent could work, most could not and they were a
Discovery of gold and silver led to the development of the city of Boulder, at the base of the mountains, as a supply center to the primarily Cornish hard-rock miners. (1) The coal mines in the southeastern plains of the county attracted Catholic Italian miners, while the open plains attracted farmers and ranchers. The early city, containing a typical mix of hardware and mining supply stores, boarding houses and transport businesses, along with drinking and gambling establishments, was soon discovered by tourists. It also became a popular destination for tubercular patients seeking the healing mountain air and dry climate. Many city residents opened their houses to people requiring special care and doctors.
The University of Colorado opened its doors to students in 1877, bringing an influx of professional and educational backgrounds. With this conglomeration of social, environmental and economic backgrounds there were soon residents needing financial and housing assistance. Even then, progressive Boulder understood that these institutions, which could be costly, were also successful when serving people in need.
The exact details of Boulder County’s history relating to poor houses and poor farms are vague. They are scattered among local institutions, memories of older residents, occasional books and newspaper clippings. The first poor farm/poorhouse started informally in the 1870’s. During this time the county commissioners realized they were spending a lot of their time dealing with issues related to paupers and the insane. There was no county doctor, and people caring for these individuals were constantly asking for reimbursement for medicine and room and board. Although some of the indigent could work, most could not and they were a
References: (1) Minutes Board of Charities and Corrections, 1912, 82 State Archives. (2) Hospitals and health care in Boulder County, 1870-1994 / 1994. Ingrid Asmus. 1994. 34 p. (3) History of the Boulder County Poor Farm and Hospital / 1992. Prepared by Anne Quinby Dyni, 1992 (7) Robert I. Willis biographical sketch, 1898. 2 p.