Part One

The first attempt to establish a residential facility for the developmentally disabled in the State of Wisconsin dates back to 1867, when the state legislature passed a bill to provide an institution for "imbecile and idiotic" children. Because the presiding officers failed to sign it before adjournment, the bill did not become law. Various organizations continued to call attention to the need for such an institution which resulted in a bill in 1887 that passed both houses, but was vetoed by the governor. When re-introduced in 1891, the bill failed to pass both houses of the legislature. Finally, in 1895, twenty eight years after it was first introduced, the bill for a "Wisconsin Home for the Feeble Minded" became a law.

Buildings for what is now Northern Wisconsin Center in Chippewa Falls were first opened in 1897. The facility began taking in admissions at a rapid pace and by 1906, only nine years after it first opened, there were 650 children who were committed by the courts but could not be admitted due to overcrowding.

The demand for additional institutional facilities continued. In 1909 the legislature appropriated the sum of $1,000 to be used to secure option contracts for the purchase of suitable sites. About thirty sites were visited and options secured but, due to other demands on the budget, the legislature of 1911 could not provide the funds needed for another institution.

Finally, in 1913, the legislature appropriated $300,000 for the purchase of a site and the initial construction of buildings. The Board of Controls again visited various sites, and settled on the $53,937.50 purchase of 519 acres located two miles northwest of the village of Union Grove. They chose this site due to its location in the southeastern part of the state near the cities of Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Burlington.

The area, ten acres of which were under water, consisted largely of ponds, creeks and cat-tail swamps. Drainage was from three directions, south, west and north, to the center of the site where many buildings were to be located. After visiting the site, many state officials and private citizens became discouraged and suggested abandonment.

Despite the pessimistic attitude encountered in certain quarters, the decision to start construction was made and work was begun.

Sources:
The Story of Southern Colony...45 Years of Progress by Henry Klimowicz, 1963;
Colony Background notes by Dr. C. C. Atherton.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four
Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight | Part Nine

Last Revised:  July 12, 2010