Orphan Trains and Adoptions in Sherburne County
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline was a recent topic of the Sherburne History Center Book Club. As the conversation evolved several questions came up: Were there many orphan train children in Sherburne County? Were there other sources in Minnesota for families wanting to adopt or bring children into their families? (Yes, I know, if you read the book, I am phrasing this very delicately). Well, I can’t answer the first question. But an announcement in the Sherburne County Star News from March 1, 1900 helps answer the second question. The announcement read: Mr Lewis of the state school, Owatonna, came into town last week, bringing with him a school girl for Mrs. Colbeck. As we peruse the columns of the county newspapers, we are finding similar announcements. It appears the state school in Owatonna served as a source for children. The official name for the orphanage was: The Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Ne...