The Poor Farm: Waverly

It was a place where people could go when they did not have enough money, food, or family support. It started after the Civil War, when more people needed help. The county bought land and built a home there so people would have a safe place to live.

The farm was meant to help take care of itself. People who lived there helped with jobs they were able to do, like cooking, laundry, gardening, taking care of animals, milking cows, and working in the fields. The farm grew crops and raised animals so it could provide food for everyone living there.

Many of the people who lived there were older adults or people who were sick and needed help. Sometimes families stayed there for a while during hard times, especially during the Great Depression. Children who needed different care were usually placed with families, orphanages, or schools.

Over time, the poor farm changed. New buildings were added, including cottages for families and a larger brick building in 1954. The people who ran the home worked very hard to care for everyone, and they even made sure each resident had a Christmas gift.

Even though life there was often simple and hardworking, the poor farm gave many people food, shelter, and care when they needed it most. Today, it is remembered as an important part of Bremer County’s history.