The Orphan Trains and Their Riders

History at a Glance

In 1852, the NY Chief of Police reported that 10,000 dependent and delinquent children lived in the city.

Children’s Aid Society was formed in 1853 In 1854, the first group of children were sent to

Michigan The “Free Home Placing Out” continued until 1929 Between 1854 and 1929 an estimated 250,000

orphaned, abandoned, homeless children and poor families were placed in homes

Beginning of the Children’s Aid Society

Formed by Charles Loring Brace – first secretary of CAS

He developed the “Placing Out” system Philosophy of the Society

Idea of self-help Gospel of work Importance of education

Orphanages

In 1834, the American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendless was established

In 1853, the New York Juvenile Asylum was opened

From 1865 to 1903 the New England Home for Little Wonderers in Boston sent children out west

In 1869 to 1912, the New York Foundling Hospital was founded

Distribution of Children

Children’s Aid Society Agents

Western Agents would visit the towns to scout out good locations to place children

They then traveled with the children & supervised the placing out process.

They were required to followed up on the children at least once a year.

Two Agents: Anna Laura Hill – mainly brought children

to Kansas Reverend Clark – mainly brought children

to Iowa.

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Placing Out Process

A “screening committee” was formed

They would usually receive a bath, a new set of clothes, and a bible

Children would travel by train or other means with an agent

The children would go to a town meeting hall or other “neutral” building

The placing agent would give a talk on the procedures and a short sermon

Placing Out Process (continued)

The children would line on a stage or platform.

The interested townspeople would fill out an application for the child they wanted

The children would usually go home with the adult(s) for lunch

They would return and the committee would announce who received which child

Those children not chosen would stay with the agent or move on to the next city

Placement Terms

Two Orphan’s Story

Nellie S. and Nettie M. Crook

Nettie Crook

Orphan Train Heritage Society of America (OTHSA)

Founded by Mary Ellen Johnson in Springdale, Arkansas in 1986.

Goals Preserving the history of the orphan trains Help with research Host various seminars and annual meetings Publish orphan train riders stories Assist teachers and students

Consists of the restored Union Pacific Depot and the new Morgan-Dowell Research Center

Contains the archives and artifacts of the orphan train riders.

Will have exhibits and information on display about the orphan trains and local railroad history.

Continue to educate the public about the orphan trains

Restored Train Depot

Questions?