CATTLE BARN
The Infirmary's Cattle Barn was the largest in Wood County at the time it was built in 1892. A fire destroyed the barn on Sept. 8, 1965. The foundation remains and is still visible.

ICE HOUSE and ICE PONDS
The Ice House was built in 1905 with cement blocks from Perrysburg's Wood County jail which was torn down earlier that year. It held 300 tons of ice, which was cut from the Ice Ponds on the south end of the property.

The first ice pond was built in 1885. It's purpose in the summer was to provide water to the Home and the gardens, and to farm fish for food. In the winter, up to 300 tons of ice was harvested and held in the Ice House for later use. In 1942, a second pond was built and concrete sides were added to both to maintain enough water and ice for the growing number of residents.

LUNATIC HOUSE
Built in 1885 for $1,700.00, the Lunatic Asylum was designed to house mentally ill male residents. The first eight patients were transferred here in 1886 from the Perrysburg Insane Farm. By 1900, Ohio legislation mandated that all mentally ill patients transfer to state hospitals, which changed the focus of the facility to dormitory space for trustworthy male residents. Evidence of remodeling occurred between 1925 and 1940, most likely to accommodate more residents as a result of the Great Depression. In 2000, restoration began on the Lunatic Asylum to return its look to early 1900. The building will be open to the public and will showcase an extensive exhibit on Mental Health starting April 17, 2004.

OIL DERRICK
Although this structure was not original to the County Home, it represents the rich oil and gas boom that was critical to the development of Wood County. The first natural gas discovered in Wood County was found on the Infirmary grounds in 1884. On-site wells provided the gas that helped heat and light the Home for many years.

Constructed over the summer of 1996, the 24' x 40' building is made of rough hewn lumber. This working well pumps colored water, which is channeled into the two storage tanks located in front of the structure. This exhibit includes a derrick, steam boiler, an 1880s gas engine from Acme Sucker Rod Company of Toledo, gear works from the AB Company in Findlay, and shackle rods that connect the pump jacks.

PAUPER'S CEMETERY
Out of necessity, a cemetery lot was needed on the grounds as a final resting place for residents who had no family or money. The grave sites are marked with simple numbered stones. Unfortunately, the Infirmary's Cemetery records were destroyed in a fire, so very little information is available about who is buried here.

Superintendent Wayne Roe pictured here, circa 1950s.

SLAUGHTER HOUSE and WASH HOUSE
Since the Home was a self-sufficient farm, the residents and staff had to raise and prepare livestock. The Slaughter House (white structure on left) was built in the 1870s for butchering hogs.

The Wash House (stone structure on right) was also built in the 1870s as a laundry facility. Clothes were washed in here and hung on the line to dry.

THE POWER OF YESTERYEAR CLUB
The Power of Yesteryear Club is a non-profit organization in Wood County, Ohio, with an interest in antique power, farm tractors, and agricultural equipment. The Club maintains a small strip of land at the Historical Center between Route 6 and County Home Road for planting and farming demonstration. On the east end of the property (just as you turn onto County Home Road from Route 6), they have planted 3 acres of wheat, which will be harvested in late July/early August. If you keep heading down County Home Road, just past the Museum at the bend, is another patch of land where they have planted just over 4 acres of soybeans to harvest in October. Check our EVENTS page for dates of harvesting demonstrations.

The Power of Yesteryear also hosts their annual FARM & TRACTOR SHOW at the Historical Center in conjunction with the Wood County Heritage Days in June.

POY History & Website | Tractor Raffle | Harvesting Events