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Greetings From Elgin (1975)

Larkin Children's Home

The Larkin Children's Home's history dates back to May of 1892. Mary Peabody was asked to care for 3-day old twins who lost their mother due to pneumonia.  Before long, Mary's generosity would be called on several more times, when two other children showed up on her door.  Between 1894 and 1895, her home became known as "The Miss Mary Peabody Home for Babies".  

Soon Mary's Liberty Street home would be prove to be too small for the new arrivals.  By June 22, 1896, an organization was formed called The Elgin Children's Home Association.  Their mission statement was to: "...care for and to provide for the wants of destitute, abused or neglected children under 14 years old...". That year, they moved to 685 E. Chicago Street.  They clearly distinguished themselves from an orphanage by calling themselves a "real home".  Their goal was for children to eventually go back to their parents, therefore uniting families, not separating them.

Around 1902, farmer Cyrus Larkin donated his 320 S. State Street  home to the center, if they agreed to rename themselves The Larkin Home for Children, in honor of his late mother. However, by 1912, their State Street location would no longer be adequate.  The home and 3 1/2 acres of land pictured above was donated by Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Edwards in 1926.

Today, The Larkin Center has seven group homes for severely abused and neglected children. A total of 60 children between the ages of 6 and 18 live in the various Larkin Center locations.

      

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