History

On the night of February 28, 1859, ten-year old Jimmie and his eight-year old sister Mattie were orphaned. Their mother, a widow of Patrick O’Donnell, fell down a flight of stairs, breaking her neck. On March 1, 1859, a group of local women placed the children in a home on Woodruff Street. This event provided the catalyst for establishing an orphanage that would eventually become The Children’s Home of Jefferson County. 

On May 11, 1859, the home was incorporated under the name, "The Watertown Home for Destitute and Friendless Orphans and Children." The home on Woodruff Street quickly became overcrowded. The home moved to a house on the corner of Sterling and Goodale Streets. Overcrowding again forced the Board to move the home to Franklin Street. An October 1861 report indicated that 42 children had been cared for during that year. On May 11, 1864, the name of the home was changed to "Jefferson County Orphan Asylum." 

The current site was purchased in February 1918. The first cottage cornerstone was laid on June 2, 1927. On March 1, 1929 the buildings were opened and occupied with the children from the Franklin Street site. The name "The Children’s Home of Jefferson County" was legally adopted on January 25, 1930. 

The first residents were orphans and that tradition continued for many years as scores of children without parents benefited from the caring environment provided by the Children’s Home. As the years passed and fewer orphans needed placement, the Children’s Home began to host a new group of children. 

In 1972, the philosophy on orphanages changed; therefore, The Children’s Home of Jefferson County shifted from an orphanage to a childcare residential facility. Since then, The Children’s Home has been serving court placed residents. 

The campus has had many additions since those early days. In 1974 the recreation building was added; in 1980 the learning center; in 1987 a gymnasium; and in 1998 a new garage and maintenance shop. 

Today, The Children’s Home of Jefferson County is still serving the children who are in crisis and need the opportunity to live in a new environment. During the time a child is a resident at the Children’s Home, emphasis is placed on school attendance and achievement, developing life skills, and pursuing career goals. As it carries out its mission, The Children’s Home of Jefferson County offers a stable environment for youth and provides them with the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive, and positive life.