Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schmitz, Bernier, Rozar, James, Johnson, Withee, Duncan, Mills, Hallanger, Stokes, Greschner
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/28/2022
CCRLC Celebrates 100 Years (2022)
The Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen has served residents of Clark County and beyond for a century. Submitted photo
A lot of things have changed since the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center (CCRLC) in Owen first opened its doors as the Clark County Asylum back on July 1, 1922. However, the facility’s mission of caring for its residents has remained the same.
At its September meeting, the county board unanimously passed a resolution commemorating CCRLC.
“Whereas the facility is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the residents by providing personalized, effective and compassionate care; and whereas, a number of building additions and remodeling projects have been accomplished, demonstrating continuous growth and development; and whereas, the CCRLC has been ranked as one of the top 10 nursing homes in Wisconsin for the second year in a row,” the resolution states.
“Now, therefore be it resolved that the Clark County Board of Supervisors recognizes the 100th anniversary of the CCRLC, and … commend[s] the staff for their dedicated, compassionate and extraordinary care.”
CCRLC executive director Jane Schmitz extended her appreciation to the county board for its continuous support.
“Without the county board’s support, we would not be here today… The county board has supported the health care center from the beginning. It has always been a conversation; it’s always been lots of discussion. But mainly, I want to recognize that the county board has supported the health care center for 100 years, which is amazing,” she said.
In addition to the county board’s resolution, State Senator Kathleen Bernier and Representatives Donna Rozar and Jesse James issued an official citation honoring CCRLC for 100 years “of exemplary service to Clark County and Northcentral Wisconsin.” Rozar presented the certificate to Schmitz during a centennial celebration at the center Sept. 17. The outdoor event also included a pulled pork meal catered by Mesquite Grill and Pub, music by Marshall Star Band and balloon twisting and face painting by Funtime Funktions.
CCRLC overview
The CCRLC is a specialized skilled nursing facility providing both long-term nursing home care and short-stay rehabilitative care. CCRLC is one of three Commission facilities in Wisconsin. The Woodland Enhanced Health Services Commission (WEHS) holds contracts with 42 counties in the state, serving Rock County all the way up to Bayfield County. The WEHS Commission helps to provide the resources necessary for CCRLC to serve individuals with medical and behavioral care needs beyond what most skilled nursing facilities are able to accommodate. The nursing home is licensed for 172 residents and had 151 residents as of Sept. 15.
Additional residential programs include Woodland Care Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF), on the fourth floor of the main building, which is for adults with chronic mental illness and developmental disabilities. It is licensed for eight individuals and serves eight.
The CCRLC campus also houses Life Ventures Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, which a residential program for individuals with intellectual disabilities manifested before age 22. That is licensed for 16 individuals and has 14.
The facility also provides day services to adults in Clark and the surrounding counties through Willow Ridge Adult Day Care and community outreach programs.
Site history
CCRLC has a long and rich history. In 1917, the Clark County Board appointed a committee to explore constructing a county asylum. Due to findings of material and labor shortages following World War I, the decision was made to revisit the idea at a later date.
In 1919, the county board considered sites for the asylum and ultimately chose Owen because of the quality farm land, conveniences of nearby railway stations and the thought that the northern location would help serve other northern counties that did not have asylums. In December, the board agreed to purchase 1,065 acres for $103,000 from C.A. Johnson and Niran Withee.
On March 1, 1920, M.H. Duncan, former Marathon County Asylum superintendent, began as superintendent of what was then called the Clark County Asylum. Duncan brought 12 patients from Wausau with him to help with the work of setting up a farm, so it was operational before the main building was completed.
On July 1, 1922, the new building was opened. The total cost for construction, furnishing and equipment was $900,000. M.H. Duncan and the original 12 patients moved from the Withee House to the new building.
By 1924, crop acreage was as follows: 60 acres of corn, 25 acres of potatoes, 16 acres of barley, 40 acres of oats, six acres of buckwheat and three acres of millet.
In 1929, the name was changed to Clark County Hospital.
In 1936, Myron Duncan, son of M.H. Duncan, took over as superintendent. The patient population had increased to 136.
In 1945, Calvin Mills took over as superintendent and maintained that role for the next 25 years.
Over the years, the farm was gradually expanded. For example, a slaughterhouse was added in 1948, a new hog house and laboratory in 1952, and additional grain storage and a mixing plant in 1956.
In 1966, major renovations took place, including the construction of an occupational therapy unit, new roofs on the east and west wings of the main building, the addition of two elevators, a complete remodel of the reception and business office areas, and a new office was renovated for the superintendent.
In 1969, a portion of the Clark County Hospital was converted to a public medical institution. Ninety-seven beds were designated as skilled nursing home beds to serve the aged patient population.
In 1970, Arlyn Mills became superintendent. The first full-time social worker, Hal Hallanger, was also hired that year.
In 1971, a tornado caused enough damage to the grounds for an insurance claim to be made for repair and cleanup.
In 1972, the Clark County Hospital and Home celebrated its Golden Jubilee with tours, a softball game, antique display and refreshments. The Medical Records Department was established. Reroofing was completed of the dairy barn, hog house and milk house.
In 1974, the county board approved $760,400 worth of facility upgrades, including an addition to the north side of the main building for men’s and women’s locker rooms, a classroom, laundry area, maintenance shop, boiler room, employee dining room, milk room, meat room and canning room.
In 1982, Clark County Health Care Center was designated as the first regional center for the chronically mentally ill.
The health care center hosted Wisconsin Farm Progress Days in 1983.
In 1992, the county board approved the start of phasing out the milk processing operation. In 1993, the vegetable garden was discontinued. Also that year, Clark County sold 729 acres of land to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The dairy cow herd dispersal was approved in May.
In 2000, all Johnson farm buildings were demolished in cooperation with the Owen Fire Department, who burned the buildings as part of their training. The Clark County Highway Department buried the remaining debris. Also around that time, CCRLC served as an alternate school location for grades 10-12 for several years.
In 2003, Schmitz was named the executive director of CCRLC following the retirement of Mills.
In 2009, CCRLC sold 71 acres to the City of Owen.
In 2012, the Woodland Care CBRF Program opened on the fourth floor of CCRLC.
In 2014, the name was officially changed from Clark County Health Care Center to Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center.
In 2018, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new 1 South addition, a short-stay rehabilitation unit.
In 2020, the east side elevator was replaced. In August, the granary, sheep barn, hay shed, farm supervisor building and west gable end of the farm shop were demolished. The remaining east side end of the farm shop was remodeled. The COVID-19 pandemic caused strict visitation and personal protective equipment guideline to go into effect.
In 2021, the 1W and 2WB units were remodeled and opened as long-term care units for the general population.
This year, remodeling began on 1 East B, with plans to finish remodeling by the end of November and begin remodeling on 1 East A immediately following. The B side will be for the general geriatric population and the A side for those with dementia.
Information was taken from the CCRLC centennial booklet compiled by Shayla Stokes and Angela Greschner.
Editor Valorie Brecht contributed to this report.
