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When the county ran an insane asylum

The Walworth County Counseling Center is located at the county complex on County Highway NN, east of the city of Elkhorn across the street from the Law Enforcement Center.

The building was completed in 1971, but research in 1988 on a history of the facility discovered that the facility goes back to the 1850s when the county started its farm and asylum for the paupers and the chronically insane.

The county’s poor farm opened in 1852 and housed the homeless, infirm, poor and those deemed to by chronically insane.

Soon after it was established, the insane were housed in separate quarters.

Over the years, the programs adjusted to the needs of the population and a variety of services were developed. According to their history, George Burgy and C.E. Soderholm, who were directors of the county’s Department of Public Welfare, urged the county to provide preventative services for those with mental illness.

In June 1955, a countywide prepared a survey called Report on the Study of Services for Children and Youth. The report recommended that the county create a central council to appoint a committee to begin planning a county Family Counseling Service.

The Walworth County Central Council was established by a county board resolution in February 1957. Jack Fagan of Delavan was appointed chairman of the 34-member board of directors.

The Walworth County Board also appointed a Committee on Family Counseling Services. Alice Morrissy of Elkhorn was appointed chairperson of the committee. Its recommendation resulted in the Family Counseling Board. Franklin Walsh became chairman of the newly formed board on Sept. 15, 1959.

The clinic began operating in 1960. Dr. Leslie A. Osborn was the first medical director. Joseph Bileddo was the first administrator. He was followed in 1965 by Walter Gleason who serviced until his retirement in 1981. Thomas Mackesey became the next director.

At its beginning, the clinic operated out of the first floor of the former nurses’ dorm. Later, that building became part of the Health and Human Services Department.