From County “Poor Farm” to Modern Offices

The Evolution of the Mifflin County Home: From “Poor Farm” to Modern Care

For nearly a century and a half, a tract of land along Green Avenue in Derry Township served as the epicenter of Mifflin County’s public assistance efforts. The property’s evolution—from a 19th-century agrarian “Alms House” to modern residential developments and commercial spaces—mirrors the changing national landscape of how communities care for their most vulnerable citizens.

The Original “Poor Farm” (1850–1920s)

In 1850, Mifflin County purchased a farm tract and its existing buildings along Green Avenue to establish the county “Poor Farm.” During the 19th and early 20th centuries, poor farms (or almshouses) were the standard method of providing local public aid. Individuals facing extreme poverty, the elderly, those with intellectual disabilities, and orphaned children—often referred to in historical records as “inmates” — were sent to live and work on the property. In exchange for room and board, those who were able-bodied were expected to perform manual labor to keep the farm self-sustaining.

However, after more than 70 years of continuous use, the original buildings fell into severe disrepair. By the 1920s, the facility was vastly overcrowded. Historical reports from the era noted that the home was holding far more people than its capacity allowed, describing the conditions as deeply unsanitary, “deplorable,” and “utterly unfitted for a county home.” Recognizing the public health hazard, county officials condemned and demolished the original structure.

The Second County Home (Late 1920s–1977)

To replace the condemned building, a “new” County Home was constructed in the late 1920s on the same Green Avenue property. This two-story brick masterpiece was designed to provide much-needed improvements in living conditions and sanitation.

For decades, the property continued to function under the traditional county home model, with residents continuing to help maintain the surrounding County Home Farm.

The Transition to Ohesson Manor (1970s)

By the 1970s, the model of county-run poor farms was becoming obsolete nationwide, replaced by federally supported programs (like Medicare and Medicaid) and professionalized nursing facilities. During this time, Tressler Lutheran Services began partnering with local Pennsylvania governments looking to close their aging county homes.

In October 1975, groundbreaking took place for the Ohesson Manor Nursing facility on a tract of land adjacent to the County Home. When Ohesson Manor officially opened its doors on June 7, 1977, the transfer of care was complete: the first 40 residents of Ohesson were the final residents living in the old Mifflin County Home.

Modern Repurposing and Legacy (1977–Present)

With its residents safely relocated to a modern medical facility, the 1920s-era County Home building was initially repurposed to house several Mifflin County government agencies. The County Home Farm itself continued agricultural operations well into the 1990s before the County Commissioners officially voted to discontinue it, marking the true end of the “Poor Farm” era.

Today, the Green Avenue landscape looks vastly different, having been fully redeveloped to serve the modern needs of the Lewistown area:

• 399 Green Avenue Ext (The 1920s Brick County Home): The historic two-story brick building has been beautifully preserved and transformed into flexible, modern office space. Billed as a place where “history meets modern convenience,” the restored landmark now offers suites ranging from 200 to 5,000 square feet. The renovations modernized the building with energy-efficient features, natural light, high-speed internet, and ADA-compliant upgrades like elevator access, all while retaining its historic character.
• Greenwood Village: Following a sale by Diakon (the successor to Tressler Lutheran Services), the neighboring Ohesson Manor was rebranded and operates today as Greenwood Village.
• The Original Farm Tract: The expansive land that once made up the surrounding county farm has been developed to house the Lewistown Children’s Center, a residential development known as Blossom Hill, and the Geisinger Medical Group offices.

Historical source material courtesy of the Mifflin County Historical Society Archives.