Encore Belmont County Children’s Home Program
Save the Date: Thursday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m. – Watt Center for History and the Arts
Another chance to hear the history of the former Belmont County Children’s Home will take place the Watt Center for History and the Arts, 511 Watt Avenue, Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 pm.
This is an encore presentation with new stories offered by former residents, employees and community members.
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In August, local historian Marie Bundy presented a history of the former Belmont County Children’s Home at the Watt Center for History and the Arts to an “standing room only” crowd.
Joining Bundy were former residents, employees and community members who shared their memories of the institution that operated out of a four-story building at Tacoma.
The program was so popular, Bundy will share an encore presentation with new memories shared. Plans are underway to record the program as a record of local history.
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The Belmont County Children’s Home was located in Tacoma, east of Barnesville, from the 1880s to 1981, providing a home for orphaned, abandoned and indigent children. Many children called this building home at some time during their lives.
The architect for this castle-looking building was Joseph W. Yost, who five years later was the architect for the Belmont County Courthouse.
The home was established for “the physical, mental and moral training of indigent children until suitable homes could be found for them.” At one time the home housed 200 children. Later it was licensed for 60 children but usually had 40-45 children ranging from age 6 to 18.
A large farm, which was expanded to 174 acres by the 1940s, provided most of the food for the home. Adjacent to the home was a school that provided education through sixth grade. Older students went to Barnesville.
The building became too costly to maintain, closed in 1981, and razed in 1990.
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