Fairfield County Children's Home

Built between 1883 and 1886, the Fairfield County Children's Home on East Main Street in Lancaster, Ohio, was created so that orphaned children no longer had to be placed in the county infirmary. The county bought about 28 acres in 1883, and an existing frame house on the site sheltered the children during construction. The three-story brick main building, designed in the Renaissance Revival style with stained glass in the upper window sashes, was linked to that house, which became the superintendent's residence and office. The Home was planned for 60 children, who helped with household and farm chores on a working farm that operated until the 1970s. Seven superintendent and matron couples led it until 1980. Later additions include a 1950s gymnasium and a 1966-67 girls' dormitory. Six historic outbuildings remain, among them a brick auxiliary building and a bank barn built after a 1923 fire. Today the buildings serve offices, Head Start classrooms and an emergency family shelter.