Pine Point

Washington County Poor Farm.

Information

History

In 1858, a plat of 207 acres of land was purchased by the county to be utilized as the county poor farm. The poor farm was located in sections five and six and the original building could accommodate up to thirty persons. In 1924 the buildings were rebuilt and later the poor farm became the Pine Point Nursing Home. In the book "History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley," it says that the patients "are apparently contented, and enjoy clean, well-kept apartments, and good wholesome food." The first overseer at the poor farm was Howard Packard.

During the early years of the Poor Farm, men, women, dependent children as well as the mentally ill and the insane called the Poor Farm home. These people had no social security or welfare system that would help them make their way in society.

The Poor Farm was described in an 1881 history of Washington County as a "comfortable two-story frame building, affording all the necessary comforts for those who are in any way constrained to make this their home. It has two barns furnishing ample convenience for stock and grain."

The poor farm also had a cemetery with over 40 persons buried in it.

Today, the poor farm operates as Outing Lodge, a bed and breakfast and venue for events.