News: Clark County (Health Care Center History 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Duncan, Mills

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (15 July 1983)

OWEN-- The Clark County Health Care Center, located 1 1/2 miles east of Owen, is now a combination 253-bed skilled nursing facility and psychiatric special hospital for treatment of the chronically mentally ill.

The center, which was constructed in 1922 has undergone considerable change both in its physical plant and its philosophy of patient care. While renovations, additions and remodeling jobs were undertaken during its existence, its philosophy changed from custodial care to individualized patient treatment.

The Center's history is filled with change-- change that has made it the largest employer in Clark County and a noted health care facility. (Some of the following information and quotes were included in "Clark County Hospital and Home, 50 Years of Progress," published for the facility's 50-year anniversary in 1972.)

County mental hospitals originate back to the early 1880s. The Clark County facility was the last institution to be built, resulting in a network of 35 hospitals in Wisconsin. The Center was a part of the Wisconsin County Mental Hospital system until 1974 when the state statute, providing funding for these hospitals, were eliminated.

The facilities received transfer patients who had first been sent to either Winnebago or Mendota State Hospitals. If patients failed to respond there and recovery was not likely, they would be transferred to the county hospital closest to their home and reside there until their death.

There was little emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation. Custodial care was provided.

Dairy farms were developed for patients as a vocational outlet and became an important part of patients' lives. The facilities also were located several miles from town so patients could be removed from the community.

In 1917 the Clark County Board had a committee explore the feasibility of constructing a county asylum. The Board found a need for a facility in the central Wisconsin area. However, because of World War I, material and labor conditions were not ideal so the project was delayed. The Board decided to build the asylum in 19819 and construction began in 1920. Six sites were originally proposed -- two near Neillsville, two near Bright and two near Owen. The Owen sites had direct rail connections to other counties which would use the facility, so they were chosen.

An architect was hired ("The compensation for architects was 5 percent of the construction costs--3 percent for plans and 2 percent for overseeing.")

An experienced insane asylum superintendent to assist in directing the preparation of plans, construction of the buildings and preparing the asylum farm for occupancy" was hired. "It was important that the farm be in proper productive condition by the time the buildings were completed so that it could meet the needs of the asylum and have on hand the needed provisions for the first year."

M.H. Duncan. one of only four superintendents the facility has had, was then hired..

In 1919, 1,065 acres of land was purchased for $103, 600. The foundation and basement of the main building was constructed in 1920 and the new building was officially opened July 1, 1922, with a total cost of construction, furnishings and equipment of $900,000.

The Board of Trustee took over control on November 16, 1922. Twelve patients who had been at a Wausau asylum were assigned to help with construction. Those 12 became the first patients at Clark County. The total population in April 1936 was 316.

The farm operation was under way by 1922, The crop acreage in 1924 was 60 acres of corn, 25 acres of potatoes, 16 acres of barley, 40 acres of oats, 6 acres of buckwheat and 3 acres of millet. Twenty-two head of springer cows were purchased at a cost of $1, 575.

In 1925, more farm machinery was purchased, additional land cleared and the dairy herd expanded. In 1929, the institution's name was changed from the Clark County Asylum to the Clark County Hospital.

In April 1936, Myron G. Duncan succeeded his late father as superintendent.

Also in 1936 more land was rented to increase farm production and in 1941, 24 new chairs and two wheelchairs for handicapped patients were purchased. Gradually more staff members were hired.

Calvin Mills was appointed superintendent June 15, 1945, to succeed M.G. Duncan.

World War II also had an effect on the hospital. During 1846-47, lifting of price controls and rationing gradually increased the cost of operations. "...this was offset in part by an increase in income from farm operations."

In 1948 a slaughter house was built and a new hog house and lab for the State Soil Conservation Project were constructed in 1952, improvements to the kitchen in 1954 meant cafeteria-style serving patients, "...making possible the serving of hot food to patients at all times.

In 1955, male patients received occupational therapy and a program of needlework and rug making was carried out on each ward. Television was installed on all wards and a "...movie machine was purchased." New dayroom furniture was provided for men's and women's ward and in 1958 a beauty shop was added.

Improvements were continually being made to the physical plant and in 1960, the hospital had part-time services of a social worker,, Release plans were developed for select patients.

In 1961-62, construction on a superintendent's residence began.A bulk tank was installed at the main dairy bard and the barn and dairy plant were certified as Grade A by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

In 1963, there a was a part-time psychiatric consultant and an occupational therapy unit was constructed in 1965. June 1, 1966, Arlyn Mills joined the staff as assistant superintendent and director of patient care and treatment.

The facility's philosophy also changed over the years, from one of "custodial asylum" and "county farm" to "treatment hospital." The hospital qualified as an active treatment center December 22, 1966.

A part-time social worker became available in 1967, and other agencies providing evaluation and/or training in social work and vocational experiences for long-term retarded patients became involved in patient care.

In 1968, it became the Clark County Hospital and Home, when 90-100 beds were converted for a skilled nursing home.

The late 1960s also was a time of construction and remodeling. In-service training for all ward personnel took place in 1968. Patient care procedures were taught and nursing care plans were recorded for each patient. Pharmaceutical services began and a full-time social worker was added. Treatment methods, such as individual counseling, group therapy and family therapy, were implemented.

By 1970, the psychiatric hospital and nursing home had a full complement of registered and licensed practical nurses. Occupational therapy and industrial therapy also saw their was into the facility in 1970. More emphasis was placed on the value of work as a therapeutic experience.

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Mills retired December 30, 1970, and Aryn Mills was appointed superintendent January 1, 1971. In-service training and social services were emphasized and additions and remodeling continued on the building and grounds.

As of May, the Health Care Center had an annual operating budget exceeding $5 million and about 254 employees It is also is home for a Regional Center for the Chronically Mentally Ill. An extensive construction project, focusing on patient facilities,, is under way and should be completed in 1984.