It was 160 years ago on November 16, 1865 that the steamboat Keithburg arrived on the levee in Davenport, Iowa. It was an hour earlier than expected, covered in American flags, and carrying 150 children who had lost their fathers in the Civil War. Once they disembarked, 149 children were fed by local women and then carriages from local liveries drove them to the former Union soldier training site, Camp Kinsman, to begin their new lives.
One child, 15-year-old Mary Elizabeth James (also known as Lizzie), was prepared for burial having passed away from consumption on November 14th on the boat trip portion of the journey from Farmington, Iowa to Davenport. She was buried in Oakdale Memorial Gardens with her fellow orphans attending her funeral on November 17, 1865. She would be the first orphan to be buried at Oakdale.
Annie Wittenmyer had moved the children from the overcrowded orphanage in Farmington to Davenport after seeing the camp. The separate cottages, large training buildings, and farmland surrounding the site had great potential we discussed in A Soldier’s Letter.
In 2011, we received a stereo-optic card with an image of the Iowa Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home showing the cottages originally used by soldiers training to go off to war. For many of us, it was the earliest view of the cottages we had seen.
We are excited to have received another donation featuring new photographs of the original cottages. Taken between 1866 – 1867, these photos help us learn more about the original buildings and grounds.
The Morning Democrat newspaper on November 16, 1865 wrote about touring the 10 acre camp. Only four acres were used by buildings with six acres open to build on or farm. There was a main building with an apartment for the superintendent, offices, reception rooms for visiting families, and a small kitchen. Nearby were two additional buildings used to store food and other items for the orphanage.
Twelve buildings in a row had five rooms in each structure. Eleven of the buildings were used by orphans and contained a large bunk room for sleeping, a small school room, a matron’s room, and two closets. The twelfth building was being used as a temporary hospital. Behind each of the buildings were outhouses and bathing rooms.
The old drill building had been converted into a dining hall. The plan was for seventy-five tables to be added with seating for seven at each table. There were large kitchens in the back and the main dining room was turned into a chapel for services on Sundays.
Six more cottages on another road were used to house orphans, three other buildings were to house infants, and another building would serve as a school and library.
The author of the article noted each orphan had their own bed and women in Iowa had made quilts for each bed. There was also a laundry building, barn, and sewing room. Many widowed women, some mothers of children in the orphanage, worked in the kitchens, laundry, and sewing room in exchange for room and meals. This allowed many women to remain near their children. Few occupations existed for widowed women (or women in general) to find work and the large number of adult men lost in the war affected their ability to remarry.
While unfinished, when the orphans arrived on November 16, 1865, the citizens of Davenport and the entire state of Iowa supported the orphanage to honor the sacrifices of their fathers.
We find the photographs fascinating and hope you enjoy them too!
(posted by Amy D.)
