Gore Orphanage Part 5

Okay, so you're probably wondering: what does all this about the Swift mansion have to do with Gore Orphanage? Well the answer is, there never was a Gore Orphanage! But there was an orphanage. Read on for the explanation that starts to tie all this together.

Around 1903, the Reverend and Mrs. J. A. Sprunger of Berne, Indiana purchased the nearby Hughes farm, which was at the top of the hill overlooking Swift's Hollow. It was there that they established the Light and Hope Orphanage.

According to the 1906 book Lorain County, Ohio Picturesque and Industrial Features by Mrs. O. H. Monroe, the orphanage was not only for orphans. "Orphans, half-orphans, and destitute children are admitted to the home regardless of their religious creed and nationality, between the ages of two and twelve years. The home supports them till they are eighteen and twenty years of age, and besides farming those who wish can learn a trade suitable to their ability and choice." (The above photos of the boys' and girls' dorms are also from this 1906 book.)

As many as 120 children lived and worked at the orphanage. The boys lived on the Hughes farm, which also served as the orphanage headquarters, and the girls' dorm was on the Howard farm further down Portman Road. (Check out the map in 'Gore Orphanage Part 2' to see the location of the Hughes and Howard farms.)

The Sprungers eventually expanded the orphanage to 500 acres by purchasing several other farms - including the Wilbur farm. So the Swift mansion became part of the orphanage complex and was used to house some of the employees - but not any of the orphans.

Unfortunately the orphanage, which relied on donations, was never a financial success. After Rev. Sprunger died in 1912, the Light and Hope Orphanage struggled for a few more years before closing in July 1916. (See newspaper clipping at right.) Vacant and neglected, it soon became dilapitated.

Next: the fiery conclusion to our story