February 13, 1855…St. Louis Girl's Industrial Home Incorporated

Some women met in St. George's church in St. Louis February 4, 1854 to formulate a plan for taking care of beggar girls who thronged the streets. In a decade the frontier community had developed into the eighth largest city in the United States. More than half of the population was foreign born, and one-fourth was composed of American immigrants from other states. Poor and socially unadjusted newcomers sent their children into the streets to beg. February 11, 1854, the "Church of the Messiah" opened for a meeting at which it was resolved to found a home and later a school for these children.

A board of managers to serve as a governing body for the project was chosen, and February 13, 1855, a charter was granted to the "Industrial School and Temporary Home for Destitute Children." Wayman Crow, philanthropist and senator from St. Louis presented to the legislature the bill, which provided for receiving and giving for adoption children of destitute parents and for the privilege of buying property. It was further stated that the institution should always be non-sectarian and free for every child who sought admission. February 9, 1857, the name was changed to "Girl's Industrial Home.."

Through self-assessment and donations the managers, who were themselves the teachers, raised $1300, rented a house, and secured a housemother. The industrial home opened with seven little girls. Soon afterward the city council enacted a law making begging by children on the street a penal offense, however, and the enrollment rose to ninety-two. Compelled to seek larger quarters at the end of the first year, the managers rented a vacant Methodist parsonage on Fourth street near Washington avenue. Here activities were expanded and a pre-school and nursery were organized. In 1857 a new residence on Eighteenth and Morgan streets was purchased for $26,000.

The home performed special services to children left destitute during the Civil War, and police were urged to bring small children to the home rather than to the "house of relief." February 17, 1899, the organization pledged itself to build a new home with facilities for 100 children, and a $60,000 building was erected.

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