On this date one hundred years ago, a committee from the Board of the Girls Industrial Home met with the Rotarians to ask for their assistance in raising money to build a new home for the girls at Jackson and State Streets. Mrs. Harvey Demotte spoke on behalf of the GIH and related the history of the building that was presently standing on the Home's property. The house stood at Grove and State Streets since 1888. In 1896 the house was moved to a three acre tract at Jackson and State the women purchased.
The same house had been in use since that time, but with material changes in its inhabitants. In 1896 only 14 children lived in the home. In 1916 there were 45 children living in the same home, in very crowded conditions. The finances of the Home were entirely dependent on voluntary contributions, small fees from the county which remanded the children, and very small fees for "boarding girls." In order to build a new home, the women would need to mount a campaign for the funds.
Mrs. DeMotte presented facts as to their economies, such as two milch cows, fruit trees and a vegetable garden, to demonstrate the fact that the home was very well run. Just three women looked after the children and visitors were pleased with their behavior and clean appearance. Although many children stayed for very short times in the home, some went from there to good employment or happy marriages due to the education they received at the Home. The Home was also an adoption center, where children who had no home could find a new loving home and couples who had no children could complete a family. The Home had already received a donation of $200 from a happy father and mother who had adopted at the Home.
Judge James Riley also spoke to the necessity of such a home in Bloomington. He was the juvenile court judge and he stated that every week 1 to 5 children were remanded to his court who needed the services of the Home. Without this Home, there was no place for such children in the County.
The Rotarians of course agreed to assist the Home Board and the two joined forces to find the money to build a new Home.