Public care of the poor in Illinois began in 1819. In that year, the General Assembly passed a law mandating public care and maintenance of those unable to support themselves and without family support. County overseers of the poor farmed out care of the destitute to private citizens.

Henry County located its Poor Farm north of Cambridge, the county seat, on Illinois Route 82. Today that county owned facility is known as Hillcrest Home. In the mid 1800's the Henry County Board created the Poor House. It served as a home for the poor and the homeless. It often served as a home for those who had no where else to turn. Many of the residents were newly arrived immigrants from European countries. Many were ill, injured or crippled. Some stayed for a short time; others stayed for years. Babies were born there. It took on the aspects of a small village.

With the advent of the welfare program in 1949, fewer residents of Henry County needed admission to the Alms House. Henry County took the initiative to become the first county in

Illinois to convert its Infirmary/Poor Farm into a convalescent home. At that time the name was changed from the Henry County Infirmary to the Henry County Convalescent Center. All 120 rooms were redecorated. The hospital and the hospital quarters were completely redone. The individuals living at the Center were referred to as "patients." They were paying customers. As to the farming operations, in 1957 Henry County decided to quit operating the farm itself and began leasing out the land. The Center continued to be under the supervision of a Committee of County Board supervisors.
In accord with the laws of the State, the mid 19th century Henry County Alms House/Poor Farm has evolved into Hillcrest Home, a modern nursing facility complete with air conditioning, private rooms, cable television and buffet dining. Attendant therapy and recreational activities are provided for the clients.

The cemetery is located far from Hillcrest Home, sandwiched between corn fields all around. The grounds are kept very well; it is a beautiful and peaceful place.

PLEASE NOTE: this is a list of those buried here. There are NO graves marked with names. Some had wooden crosses that have disintegrated over time, others have a cement slab with rough cement on the top, never had a name.

AND: this is referred to as the Hillcrest Home Burial Site (it is now a nursing home).

Henry County Almshouse, also known as Henry County Farm, Henry County Poor Farm.

NOTE: ALL graves here are unmarked.

These are the only photos I took after I dowsed the cemetery

Robin Weber Pardus