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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-06-25, Page 2We are pleased to be of service to 9-furonfea and welcome them to Brussels "Brussels' full service florist" COUNTRY GARDEN FLOWERS Free in town delivery. '''s' F (nominal fee for out of town delivery) 887-6900 Brussels 887-6351 Chevrolet We welcome Huronlea to our village and Congratulations on your Grand Opening rzfRoadside ASSISTANCE J.L. McCutcheon Motors Ltd. BRUSSELS 887-6856 CONGRATIOVSPO 11(3"NLE44 Eiljoy one of many homemade specialties in a cozy atmosphere. Spend a night relaxing in our luxurious suites or rooms. • Daily Specials • Sunday Evening Smorgasbord • Friday Lunch Buffet BRUSSELS COUNTRY INN Pt Brussels 887-9035 —"gift APT-11 PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN/JUNE 1993. Original Huronview, home to 90 residents Huronview first opened its doors in 1895 after being built in 1894 by Sam S. Cooper, of Clinton. The original home (which housed approximately 90 residents) which was intended as a place for the homeless to live when they had nowhere else to go, were not able to support themselves or were incapable of living alone without supervision. The facility also included a farm, and with the assistance of residents By Bonnie Gropp With all the planning and dream- ing involved in making Huronview and Huronlea reality there are many people in the county who feel connected to the project. Few how- ever, have roots dug as deeply as Grey Township Reeve Leona Arm- strong. In 1955, after completing two years as Warden of the county and following a short period as Huron- view farm manager, Reeve Arm- strong's father, the late Harvey Johnston became administrator of Huronview. During his 15 years at the Tuckersmith Twp. facility, he and his wife Lila resided in an apartment at the front of the build- ing. "When I went home to visit my parents, that's where I went," said Reeve Armstrong adding that in those days the administrator's job was a 24 hour one. "I remember we never celebrated our family Christmas on Christmas Day while Dad was administrator. He was always in the dining room to carve the turkey for the residents." Built on a farm, Huronview, which stands next to the new facili- ty just south of Clinton, had its own barn, cattle and crops. "It was pret- ty self-sufficient," says Reeve Arm- strong. "In the early years a lot of the residents did the work." When Mr. Johnston became administrator, there were 66 resi- dents at Huronview and a perpetual waiting list. To accommodate the growing need a new wing was added in 1959, followed by another in 1967. "It got to be such a big institution," says Reeve Armstrong. "It really wasn't built for extended care. The stipulation at one time was that for residents to be accept- ed they had to be physically able to walk in on their own. Once there, they were moved to different wings if their condition changed." By the time Mr. Johnston and his wife retired there were 310 resi-' dents at Huronview. Though he and his wife moved to a house in Clin- ton, Mrs. Johnston remained very active with the goings-on in Huron- view as a member of its auxiliary. With such a personal interest in the facility it seems only fitting that Reeve Armstrong was on the facili- ty use committee, which came up with the recommendation that the county have three homes for the (both male and female) produced food for them to eat and sell. They also maintained registered livestock, registered under the name 'Huronco' The home was originally known as the House of Refuge or the Poor House, probably because of the nature of the initial residents. Over the years it became known as the 'Huron County Home' and then as Huronview. The name is a combination of 'Huronco' and the aged. "During our study, it came out loud and clear during discussions groups and organize- they wanted smaller, more home-like facilities." The idea was Continued on page 3 HARVEY JOHNSTON 'view' of the surrounding country. The original building is now completely gone. The old Huronview was built in three sections (1953/54), the 1961 addition and the 1967 addition). Huronview could accommodate up to 310 residents and offer a variety of services and programs to encourage active daily living. At one time, Huronview was authorized for 129 residential and 181 extended care beds. Construc- tion on the new Huronview began in the fall of 1991, was supposed to be finished the following fall but didn't open until April of 1993 due to weather and construction delays. There are presently 120 residents at Huronview. The home has had a varied administration over the years. The following is a brief summary. First superintendent and matron were Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Florence French of Exeter. In 1907, Mr. Multch took over as superintendent and was followed by Mr. J. Brown in 1916. Mr. J. B. Reynolds was appointed in 1919. Mr. R. A. Robertson commenced his duties in 1922, but stayed only one year. In early 1923, Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob commenced a long tenure as superintendent and matron. In 1939, their son, Dick Jacob, joined the staff as farm manager. Later that same year, John Jacob died and Mrs. Martha Jacob was appointed superintendent. In 1955, Mrs. Jacob retired. Mrs. Peacock was then appointed superintendent but stayed less than a year. In July, 1956, Mr. Harvey Johnson was appointed. When he retired in 1969, Mr. Chester Archibald took over as admini- strator. Mr. Wayne Lester was appointed administrator in 1980 and is presently serving in that capacity. As a point of interest, Dr. John Campbell of Seaforth was the first home physician. Dr. J. Keith Hay is now acting medical director. History connects Grey Twp. reeve to Huronview with Lion seniors that