Lapeer State Home and Training Facility – Lapeer MI

Description

The Lapeer State Home and Training Facility was used as a house for the mentally feeble and those suffering from epilepsy or other medical conditions. Originally established in 1895, it was previously known as both the Michigan Home and Training School, as well as the Oakdale Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities. Spanning hundreds of acres, it also became known as Oakdale, made up of a number of buildings similar in operations to that of the Lapeer State Home and Training Facility. The Lapeer State Home and Training Facility was created by the state of Michigan to help make advances in medical research, mostly revolving around epilepsy and those considered “feeble-minded.”

The house was mainly funded by the federal government, but also by agencies like the WPA, and the PWA. The money went towards care and daily management of the facilities. In 1938, the PWA gave a grant of $292,000 for new facilities at Lapeer that were projected to cost around $650,000. Also in 1938, the WPA also granted money to the Lapeer State Home and Training Facility. That was part of a $2,000,000 grant towards state facilities that were considered to be in the “Thumb district.” The state home helped the local economy by providing many jobs. During its operation, it had been the state’s largest employer when it was in operation.

The funding from the PWA and WPA was essential to the upkeep and maintenance of the Lapeer State Home. The Port Huron Times Herald noted on June 28, 1938, that money from the WPA would help build a 300- bed unit that was projected to cost around $322,000. The facility would also be fireproofed, and $70,000 would also be spent on an industrial plant and housing for employees. John A. Anderson, chairman of the state hospital commission noted that “The WPA grants cover 45 percent of the costs of the projects.” At its unveiling on October 17th, 1938, there were many influential people in attendance. Governor Frank Murphy, John A. Anderson (chairman of the state hospital commission), and Dr. Daniel J O’Brien (former mayor of Lapeer) were all in attendance.

Today, there are only five buildings currently standing from the original Lapeer State Home and Training Facility. Those buildings are currently known as, the Mott community college, Rolland Warner Middle School, Chatfield Charter school, and two staffing houses.