This here is one of Carson City's grand old stone buildings. It is the state orphanage, variously called the Orphan's Home, Children's Home, and Sunny Acres. It was built in 1903 to replace the previous orphanage, which had burned down the year before.
The original wooden orphanage in 1885.
The very first orphanage in Nevada was located in Virginia City and operated by the Sisters of Charity. It opened in 1867, but after a couple of years the Legislature decided that taking care of homeless children was the State's job, so they authorized a State Orphan's Home to be built in Carson City. Ormsby County donated ten acres on Fifth Street just west of Stewart, which back then (and indeed up until the mid 1900s) was on the outskirts of town.
A large Victorian dormitory (shown above) was built on the site, for a total cost of $8,500. On October 28, 1870, the first child was admitted to the new home. It operated for over 30 years until the fire in 1902.
The new stone orphanage in 1910.
After the fire, the orphans again found themselves homeless, so the Legislature had to act quick to get the Children's Home rebuilt. This time the orphanage was built out of sandstone blocks quarried from the State Prison, the same blocks that make up the Capitol and several other buildings in town. The cost for the new Children's Home was $38,000, and it was finished and opened in 1903. This new building was not only fireproof but also much larger, and at any given time dozens of children called it home. The kids were treated well, with warm beds and good food. Townspeople would donate money to the home to buy the children Christmas presents or a day at the movies. They went to city schools, attended church, and held jobs on the farm in the back. And many of them went on to lead successful lives, carrying with them fond memories of their time at the children's home.
Sunny Acres in the 1950s
During the 40s and 50s the building went through several changes. In 1948 the place was renamed to “Sunny Acres”, which was a more cheerful-sounding name than the State Orphan's Home. Around the same time there were also structural changes made to the building. The two-story cupola and flagpole were removed, and most of the fireplaces were taken out, probably because the building was remodeled with central heating. But as the 1950s drew to a close, Sunny Acres' days were already numbered.
A closeup of the cupola.
This is progress, 1960s style. By the mid 20th century, the idea of orphanages was out and the concepts of adoption and foster homes were in. So in 1959 the State voted to shut down the Children's Home in favor of building single-family cottages where children could live in a small, more intimate setting.
Unfortunately, this decision led to the end of the Sunny Acres building. A huge dormitory had no place in this new philosophy of caring for orphans, and old buildings like this had no place in the Modernist views of the time. Already a plan had gone around (and, thankfully, was shot down) to demolish the State Capitol building in favor of modern office structures. The Arlington Hotel met with the wrecking ball in the 1960s, as well as quite a few other old buildings in town. Preservation just wasn't a priority back then. So rather than relocating the child services division and finding a new use for this excellent building, they planned to build the “cottages” on the same site.
That's why in 1963 the Children's Home was torn down, and this great piece of Carson City architecture lost. Today the original cottonwood trees still outline the spot where it used to stand, but there's nothing else left.
Boys and Girls Club Gymnasium
Actually, that's not entirely true. The site is presently filled with a scattered mess of buildings, some of them dating back to the 1960s, and some of more recent vintage. The Division of Child and Family Services is still headquartered here in the cottages, and the Boy and Girls Club of Western Nevada has made their home here in some of the newer buildings. But if you work your way past the cottages, past the Boys and Girls Club, you'll find this squat building simply marked “Gymnasium”. And even though it may not seem like it, this building is the one link back to the past. This is the one part of Sunny Acres that was not demolished, for whatever reason.
So here in the gymnasium we have the one remnant of the old children's home that used to sit on the site. And remarkably, it predates even the stone building from 1903. In this picture below of the orphan's home, looking east from Stewart Street sometime probably in the 1890s, you can see the old wooden orphanage building on the left, and some other farm-type buildings to the right. But on the far right, at the edge of the picture, is something that looks familiar. Yes, it's the Boy and Girls Club gymnasium, still standing on the same spot a hundred years ago.
State Orphan's Home when the wooden dormitory was still standing.
How this one building managed to survive fire, politics, and the bad taste of the 60s, I'll never know. But it's one reminder that this little part of Carson City has always been dedicated to the children.
And what about the cottages that were so important back in 1963? They are now falling apart and considered “pathetic” by state employees. DCFS is gearing up to vacate the cottages, and after that they'll be scheduled for demolition themselves.
So much for modernism.
Your online community for Carson City, Nevada
bbkld5 said:
on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 10:05 AM
I work for DCFS and will be moving into one of those cottages in a week. Believe me, they should be torn down. :-)
Michael Corrieri (Guest) said:
on Monday, October 16, 2006 at 11:51 AM
I lived in one of those cottages, that was called "Cottage Two", and my cottage parents were Mr. and Mrs. Rex, whom we called "Mom" and "Dad". I went there in July of 1968, being transferred up from Child Haven in Las Vegas, after a failed stay at St. Jude's Ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Rex were older at the time I came, and had spent their entire lives there, dating back to the original orphanage buildings. They were unable to have children, and had come there as a young couple from Texas, signing up for what must have been one of the biggest, and longest term, parenting job in history. Their job as parents never ended - and they always took us little ones with them on their vacations too.
It's ironic that the Sunny Acres sign lasted such a long, long, time. We had no idea what it meant - we thought it might have something to do with the driving range next door (on the other side of the bowling alley and motor pool garage), or perhaps the cattle grazing in the fields between us and Snake Hill, where sat the prison.
The front door of Cottage Two lined up directly across the street from J.C. Fremont elementary school, which is now (or was last I visited) a postal annex. We had fabulous flower beds all the way around our home, with a big sunny porch that faced the ball field. Mom (Mrs. Rex) was an osbsesive gardner, and we would drive their little truck out to a sheep ranch every fall, and load up on manure to spread on the garden beds for the following spring. She had one several prizes for these flowers - and we all shared in the glory.
The side door was off our laundry room, and my bedroom was two windows in. I imagine some state worker sits in that room now and wonders what it was like. It may be hard to believe, but it was home, and I have very fond and warm memories of the wonderful times, including our Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, that we would share.
I remember the gymnasium well. It had some older, and mostly dangerous, metal playsets, including a giant slide, and a spinning merry-go-round type of equipment that had hanging chains with rings on it. Next door to it was our favorite pastime - the bowling alley!
The Nevada State Childrens Home, and the organization within the State of Nevada, that rescued me as a child is a testament to the good, decent, and loving people of Nevada.
God bless you all - and thank you.
Michael Corrieri
2006
Kenneth Mackie (Guest) said:
on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 05:18 PM
I am Kenneth Mackie, I also lived at the home from about1964 till about 1976 along with my brother Herbert, I stayed in every cottage at least once I remeber mom and dad rex. My last cottage parents were mom and dad Head. I wasnt a very good kid and looking back every one teally tried to help me but I didnt listen very well. I would like to find everyone and put together a reunion of the rest of our brothers and sisters we all grew up with. They were all my brothers and sisters and I would like to know how every one turned out. Anyone is welcome to e-mail me at any time e-mail address is kennethmackie@yahoo.com Iwould realy like to hear from everyone.
Brent McAllister (Guest) said:
on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 09:33 AM
My name is Brent McAllister. I lived in, if I recall correctly, cottage 1. I was there from 84 to 86. The cottage parents were mom and dad Wilhelm. Over all I enjoyed my time at the home. I wasnt really a bad kid, but I did have my share of grounds restrictions. I remember alot of my brothers and sisters that were there and would really love to hear from them. My email address is usnrdt@kasi.us, feel free to email me and let me know what you are up to these days.
Anonymous said:
on Friday, July 27, 2007 at 09:59 AM
I was at the Carson City children's home from 1973-1975. I was the vicitm of quite alot of abuse in my home so the juvenile authorities placed me at the children's home to live. I was a big troublemaker there, always running away and stealing to get money and food. Most of the time in those days I got beat up by the older kids. Anyway, I was in two of the houses for boys. These days, God has blessed me and taken my difficult past and raised me up to have one of the most impactive ministries and Christian news services in California. I have found that most of us that have had troubled childhoods, like most of the kids at the home had, end up being the most effective ministers once God gets ahold of us.
I hope and pray that everyone from the 1970s is doing well and I pray that all of the kids currently at the home are in good hands.
God Bless You,
James Hartline
Anonymous said:
on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 09:48 AM
My two brothers and I lived at the home from July, 1954 to November, 1956. We were from Elko, NV and had been sent to the home because we were declared by the local judge as "vandals". I was seven years old when I arrived and it is still hard for me to believe that I could have been so "dangerous" that my bother's and I should be committed to a state institution. I did discover some years later that the Elko County Sheriff's office and local child welfare office had determined that our parents were simply too neglectful and irresponsible. We surely were wild Indians which suited us since our mother was a member of the Temoak Band of the Western Shoshones. I do have very fond memories of our time at the home and believe that it helped give me an insight of what life could be like instead of living from hand to mouth like we were accustomed to. I found our time there to be a very positive experience and think of it quite often now that I'm getting older.
Marthamary Scherer (Reddick) (Guest) said:
on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 01:37 PM
I lived at the children's home from 1964-1973 Do not tear down cottage two without getting Louis Armstrongs Autograph off the wall in cottage two. it is in the small room between the cottage parents room and the laundry room. Yes Micheal it was a girls cottage before a boys. We moved into cottage seven when it got built in summer 1967.
All the bigger kids were good to me and taught me baseball and football. Still love it today. Its a place where I can go and always remember my children's home brother who let a girl play with the boys. Oh yeah you taught me well I taught my three boys how to play. Martha Reddick
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 01:54 PM
P.S. Does anyone know where that picture went that was hanging in Mr. Aberstari's office and the new superintendent's office until 1989. It was a picture of the (girls) in cottage 2 with Louis Armstrong. I was the child on his lap and my sisters were standing off to the side and arould Louis. I would like a copy and the original sent to the Louis Armstrong Archives in Long Island, NY. Thank you!
Brenda J Hackney (Guest) said:
on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Hello, I'am looking for someone who knew the Stricker Children, who were placed in Sunny Acres in the 1940's. There were 5 Children. My husband, Bill, was the youngest of those children and was adopted by Leonard and Dorothy Hackney, of Reno, Nevada. I have been able to obtain birth dates through the County Adoption Services and the numberof children, but little else. Bill was born in 1947, i have no idea when the other chikdren were placed in the home. I would appreiciate any information at all.
Thanks,
Brenda Hackney
bellereeve@msn.com
brenda j. hackney (Guest) said:
on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Hello Again,
January 8th, 2008
Since I have not received a response from my previous e-mail, I wonder if anyone knows how I might obtain a list of the children place in " Sunnyacres Children's Home ? I am really at a dead end here and would love to heqr from anyone who could help find the " Stricker " children. As previously stated, these 5 children were at " Sunnyacres" sometime in the 1940's through 1947.
Sincerely,
Brenda Hackney
bellereeve@msn.com
Madelyn Colautti-Leonard (Guest) said:
on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 01:35 PM
I lived at Sunny Acres from 1961-64. I graduated from CHS while I was there and attended UNR on a scholarship awarded to the graduate from the Home with the highest GPA by the Carson Nugget. I remember rolling green lawns (Dad Trimble or Mr. Patterson mowed them on a riding mower usually with one of the smaller kids hitching a ride), plenty of good food, caring cottage parents and administrators. I had never had a Christmas before or since like the Christmases we had at the home. Nat and Jody Goldman from Las Vegas and others provided major Chistimas gifts such as stereos and clothing. We permitted 3 major requests and usually got all three from Nat and Jody as well as many other things from other generous individuals and groups who also hosted holiday parties. The atmosphere there was so festive during the holidays. The highlight of Christmas Day was a grand banquet in the main dining hall, where all of us gathered with our cottage parents.
In 1998 the dining hall provided the setting for the reunion of former residents. Richard Little and later John Aberasturi, aided by cottage parents such as the Trimbles, the Pattersons, Mom Sanders, Martha Whitely, Grace Giffen, and Hattie Becker, the seamstress, a blessing on their memories, provided support, direction, inspiration, and, yes, fair discipline, but with affection.
We had weekly passes to the Carson Theatre and the municipal swimming pool (I never took advantage of the swimming passes, preferring to wash walls in the old building to going to the pool, which was mandatory, for an hour or two every day in the summer because I was too modest to be seen in a bathing suit.)
I was among the first group of senior girls to move into the
cottage on Stewart St. with our housemother, Martha Whitely. It was brand new and had state of the art kitchen appliances and a patio where we could barbecue in warm weather. We were able to do our own wash instead of helping in the laundry as we had done upon arrival, and each girl took a turn preparing dinner. Grace Giffen, the relief housemother, took all of us girls who were high school seniors (dressed in nice dresses with hats and white gloves), to the mother-daughter tea sponsored by the DAR of which she was a member.
There was a bowling alley when we first came.
Some of us who were separated from siblings found surrogate families there.
I still have letters from Jody Goldman and Mom (Marguerite) Sanders who was a stickler for good manners.
I remember my time, my mentors and fellow residents at NSCH with gratitude, nostalgia, and affection. NSCH "Sunny Acres" provided a wholesome sheltering environment for many of us who had been either orphaned, neglected, or abused.
I was sorry to see it close and felt sad for the children displaced by the closure. When I am in Carson, I still drive by to get a look at the old place. I am happy that the site is still used to benefit kids.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 09:30 AM
my name is craig barnhart and i was at nsch from 6/71-12/73.outside of the friends i made the experience was a lonely one.i read some of the posts and i saw one from one of the reddick girls.i want to tell her that i was 9 years old when i came to nsch and was placed in the same cottage as her brother pat.even though he was 6 or 7 years older he didnt mind going out of his way to terrorize and beat me around.i only wish i could have run into him once i became an adult so i could have the profound pleasure of kicking the living shit out of him.i remember he enlisted in the army and that was the last i seen of him.if by now somebody hasnt killed that prick i can only hope he succumbs to a long painful death.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 10:01 AM
i always wondered what became of the campbell kids,david,denise,&danny.if anyone can has any information please contact me at csmdb1995@yahoo.com.Thank you,Craig Barnhart
Pony Bob said:
on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 08:13 PM
This is some great historical info about the State
system with the state run foster homes.
Thnaks to everyone for sharing, and thanks
to Scott for this fine website...
I think the state homes were still open when I moved to Carson in 1990. There is plenty of material here for a documentary, sorry to read some of you had a
hard time there, others seem to have thought
it was an okay place to live.
~Bob
www.randomnevada.blogspot.com
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 07:21 PM
I can't believe it has taken me so long to figure out that I could do this.
I lived in cottage 5. 1984 - 1985. I was 13 when I first arrived.
I was picked on in all sorts of ways. Scares that have lasted me a lifetime.
I once wished everybody ill will. Now I'm more curious than anything. I think people treat others poorly, because they were treated poorly, and/or were never taught how to care or be kind. It's sad that "we" have to be taught that.
I now hope everybody has someone to love them, and someone for them to love. Even if it's a pet. Pet's are great. God is now my biggest fan. Molding me, to be who He created me to be. God loves me, He cares, He's gentle. And He's removing 1 scar at a time, 1 day at a time. A.S.
Sandy Shaffer-Stoddard (site) (Guest) said:
on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I too lived at the Northern Nevada State Childrens Home. I went in on my 16th Birthday. I remember being grounded that weekend until Monday morning when I could meet Mr. Aburesturi, and cottage 5 parents Mr. and Mrs Osborne. Hattie Becker was my surrogate cottage mother. I remember Lorna Wardwell, Sue Manning, Sandra Solcume and many others. I became the oldest that summer of June 9, 1974, I stated until June 9, 1976. I made the good behavior list, 7 months before I turned 18. It took me a while to settle down and do the program. I remember fighting with Vicky and her sister, and being disciplined for smoking with Chris Rios who was also from Winnemucca, Nevada along with my self. If anyone wishes to contact me, please do at nanosnama1@yahoo.com. I just found out about this site and I would like to correspond with other residents.
Eugene Whitehead (Guest) said:
on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Hi everyone, I had entered a detailed comment but it somehow was deleted? Anyway, it's nice to see all of the comments. In short, I enjoyed my time at the 'Home', especially knowing what my alternative was at the time. There was so much that I initially shared, but disappeared.I now have to rethink my points and post at a later time.
Take care all.
Eugene
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Some of the comments paint a nice picture...Be forever blessed that
any of you were not in the big home in the 40s...If those walls
could talk they would weep...Will take those sad times to my grave.
I harbor no ill will against any one..Am in my 70s and still live
the daily abuse handed to me daily there...so be it....
Took me 50 years to come back for a visit....
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 08:53 PM
we should get together.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 09:11 PM
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HAVING LIVED THERE 14 YRS. I SAW SO MUCH PAIN AND CONFUSTION.THE CONECTION WE ALL SHARED WAS ABUSE IN ON WAY OR ANOTHER.FOR ME THE ABUSE DIDN'T CHANGE. WE HAVE THIS SIGHT THOUGH MAYBE WE COULD BE A BIG BROTHER OR SISTER TO SOMEONE HERE IN NEED OF THAT. ITS COLD OUT HERE WITHOUT SOMEONE TO SHARE THINGS WITH. I SAW CHILDERN DIE OR WANTED TO DIE BECAUSE OF THE LAC OF LOVE. WE COULD ALL OF USE ONE AT A TIME MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY, BY REACHING OUT TO EACH OTHER.PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
Michael Corrieri (Guest) said:
on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I was trying to keep it positive in my original post, but I know it was not all roses.
I also received the worst beating of my life there... perhaps deservedly, as I had punched a nun at the Catholic school on the hill, and beaten another child in the classroom to the point of hospitlization with a heavy book! Unquestionably in today's society the perpetrator of my corporal punishment would've been charged with criminal abuse, as I was beaten with a plastic hose to the point of unconsciousness, however, I think Mrs. Rex carefully weighed the options; the most obvious being that should I do this again I would be sent to the reform school in Elko (a big step closer to a life of crime). Personally, I think she made the right choice - I never needed corporal punishment again, and became a well-mannered student.
I think we all need to recognize that this orphanage was ground-breaking in many ways, and there should be little question of the good that this family-like institution provided for many of us. I think most of us were there because the alternatives were totally unacceptable.
I have started a website for us (1/5/2009 so give it a couple days) at http://www.NevadaStateOrphans.org and I will be setting up forums there shortly.
I look forward to seeing all of you there!
Michael Corrieri
Michael Corrieri (site) (Guest) said:
on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 01:07 AM
I setup discussion forums for everybody communicating on this site about their stay or involvement with NSCH.
The new forums can be accessed here: href="http://www.nevadastateorphans.org/forums/index.php" title="">Nevada State Children's Home Discussion Forums.
Hopefully this won't be too hard for most to figure out!
Enjoy,
Michael
coby Lesperance (Guest) said:
on Friday, February 6, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I was a surplus child from las vegas, drunken family sent to carson city.where I was picked on and treated like crap until I learned to be mean, mad dog mean and I stayed that way most of my life, I never let any one close enough to love me. The home was a crap place mr abistary was an asshole
I ran away and kept on running, been running ever since
Anonymous said:
on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Hello everyone: Although my stay at Cottage was a rather short stay 2 years from 72 - 74.... It blesses me that those who did stay there are reaching out. Although no one ever knew what terrible things were going on at home except maybe the state . I made for the first time in my life "friends". I actually was able to eat 3 times a day... and although Mom and Dad Head were not always the easiest to get along with.... i will remember them until the day i die.. Ken mackie i remember you and your brother Herbie, Steve Pope, Tim Jacobson, Kevin Opatz ,I especially remember Jennifer Zuniga, Mitch Tobey, Frieda Hooks and her Sister Tonya, I remember the Rex's,
I remember the New tennis court and when they made it, the Bowling alley, and i loved playing in the Gym and the outside basketball court. All the good food , and i also remember the incidents that scared me too , the wrestling of boys to the floor , boys too young smoking , and the unbelievable activities that took place between the children..... But in retrospect there wasnt a person there that i didn't care about and found that as an adult its a part of my life that i treasure... only because i came to find out what it means to really love and be loved.
My home was filled with violence , beatings with 2x4s mercilessness, Whitenburg Hall was a refuge from that violence , Mom and Dad Head proved that they not only cared for me but every boy there.
I had my "first" kiss there i played baseball , and football, smear the Queer, went fishing in the carson river, but the reminder of what could lie ahead was down the road at the state prison. I remember it well....
Everyone in this blog .. we share something in common we were wards of the state , some of us were there when the old building still stood , and some of us were in the cottages.
but it was a better alternative then ELKO ... I am Steven Doherty and anyone who would love to talk e-mail me at judyshubbythatsme2003@yahoo.com
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 04:25 PM
wow
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 04:26 PM
i go there now its the boys and girls club
this is really news to me. and sad too.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 04:34 PM
sorry if you went here.
Anonymous said:
on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 03:57 PM
hello my name is ron shure, my brother mike both lived here, does anyone remember the jacksons, the hooks, david heath, the tobeys,the maines,robert king, kevin opatz and his sisters, dave welch , mom and dad head, bodine, brooks, herb mackie, alan norcutt, luis baliotis,mike dowling,jeff conway, i was there in the mid 70s my email is rshure001@yahoo.com
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 01:29 AM
Dear Ron
I lived in the cottage with Mom and dad head Allan and i had a fight and of course he won. Kevin and i crossed paths when i was in the Navy , i Talked to Frida hooks in 1990 something LOL. or was it 80 .... not to sure but . If i am mistaken correct me but was it Mitch and Vicky Tobey? I had fond memories there and i miss alot of the friends i had there ... well it was the only place in my life where at that time i really mattered !! I have Mom (Edith Heads) obit if amyone is interested !
Suzan Opatz if i am right and they had a little sister too .Kevin told ma a story once about his Dad and how his dad chased him and his sisters around with a hammer and actually hit him in his head. He and i were good friends in the Home. Let me throw a couple more names out there Jay Barber, Ronald noosey i think , Tim Jacobs. Mike Homney Steve Pope <- that poor Kid his mother would come and get him on some weekends and bring him back and he would have one big Fit ... I really felt bad for him .
Howard Cates (Guest) said:
on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Hi every one , My Name is Howard Cates, I was raised in the childrens home from September 7, 1947 till about 1956, Also have a brother and sister who lived there. we were some of the children who changed the name to Sunny Acres we all voted it that way, it was to sound better than childrens home. yes, I loved the old place and was sorry they took the old building down , had alot of great times while there, and if punnished, I deserved them . but we were family then and every now and then we will meet again. I went to 1 family reunion at 4 H camp at Lake Tahoe, but the superintendant and his wife Mr and Mrs Vandermission have passed away since then, I sure do miss the family. If some of you read this, would love to hear from you, My e?mail address is nvpaulbunyun@yahoo.com To answer some of your Questions about the kids, the state should still have the names and dates they were there.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 01:40 AM
i am sure i have the right childrens home. My father Donald Clifford was placed here back in the early 1960's til he graduated from high school in the early part of 1970's. I know he did attend some college around there in Carson City. But anyways my father past away August 2006 from cancer. Before he passed on he told us that he might have another child out there from a girl that he knew from high school while he was in the childrens home. His last dying wish was for us his children to find out if the girl he dated in high school in fact had a baby. He never got to find out because she moved away. If anyone knows my father and possibly any of the girls he dated then i would appreciate the information. I can be reached at Naomi.Esparza@gmail.com
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Hi all not sure if this is the right one...was wondering if anyone rememberd a Mike Oswald,Geroge Oswald , Matt Vukovich or Hillary Oswald I belive they were there in the early 70's Thanks
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Its sad vic children need to work and stuff, i wish i was a rich vic child
Daniel Brough said:
on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Wow, what a trip.Read all the entries and reconized so many names ! First off I need to get it right. The "Rex's" were mean ,nasty,abusive drunks. I was in cottage two for a couple of years. I got to NNCH in December 73 and Don and Mary Smith were the cottage parents. The Rex's came back to work in cottage 2 when the Smith's left. Don died soon after from cancer, I loved them very much. I then went to cottage 3. Carman Tobey and his bro Mitch, me and my brother Dennis Brough, Norman, Danny and Chip and Ricky Jackson. Funny thing though, I haven't heard from all the girls that were basicly gang raped by 40 messed up boys there. I think back on some of the shit we did and it makes me sick. I remember being beat like a man from the social worker dude named Carter and the dad from cottage 6 Richards for much of nothing. One summer I was out mowing lawns with my buddy Russel Smith, he had a brother named Rod and a sis named Tasha, anyway Russell cut his toe off via the lawn mower, poor guy never could break dance after that. I went to work for the Department of Prisons in 85 and saw way to many homies locked up.That sucked. To all my old runnin partners and my partners in crime, Ken Gande, Tim Alexander, Chip and all the rest of you I salute, most of us survived. I saw an earlier post mentioning Louis Baliotis (Cottage 2 ) He broke all the rules by gittin with the cottage mom Kate Foody. The stories we all could tell. Danny Brough Tahoebrough@yahoo.com
fallen said:
on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:36 PM
hello. MY NAME IS FRED ALLEN.
I WAS IN COTTAGE 6 MOM AND DAD BROOKS.
I have lots of good memories.From being there.All the names, Jerry Witlock,Tom Babcock.Rod Witts.Tess Hobson,Julie Gold,Barbera Winworth, And many others.Iwas there From 1979 to 1981.Left when i was 18.
1. Story that comes to mind.Mills park right across the street from High school.Tom Bacock , Rod Witts ,couple others and I fred allen.cut class got our hands on some bacardi 151.We sat at the park all afternoon got blitzed .got picked up by police taken back to our cottage. and to this day still remember the punishment.We had to scrub down the bathroom in our cottage with tooth brush.OH what joy. also remember the girl i dated there. Tess Hobson .leona sexton.Well ill be checking back in to read some more stories.thanks for memory lane.
married now 25 years 3 great kids. loving wife. also 2 grandkids.
quik-2009@hotmail.com
Shonda (Guest) said:
on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Hello.
My name is Shonda and I lived at NNCH from 76-81 along with my brother Howard and sister Michelle. I smile whenever I think back on our lives then.
I had wonderful cottage parents. I was an angry little girl and a real challenge. We had the best holidays.
I remember Lisa, Christine and Tess Hobson, Tina, Margaret and her brother, Annette and her twin sister, Betsy Mason, Kristen Fox, Mom Peggy, Mom Tina and Mom Kelsey.
I pray life has been kind to all of you. Though it has taken years to emotionally recover from the reasons we were placed in the home I am grateful for the love and kindness given.
I am a college professor with 4 children and a wonderful husband living here in CA.
Best wishes to you all.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 06:51 AM
I remember the building! My mom drove me to school on my first day of kindergarten at Freemeont (I believe) the little brown brick school house across the street that is still there! The old rock building was an impressive site ... 48 years later I can still see it. What a wonderful post and a beautiful collection of comments! I just had to say thanks for sharing!
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 08:33 AM
I lived there from 1969-1973 - in cottage 5 then 4. The Osbourne's with Hattie Becker as sub in 5 and the Henson's in 4 with Mrs. Miller as sub.
I found this site because I was trying to find out the name of the man who started sponsoring Christmas in about 1971 - I thought his name was Mr. May - and that he was an owner of May Company. When I looked that up - I come up empty. Anyway, what magnificant Christmas's we had. Harrah's Casino in Reno sponsored us, and then "Mr. May" started too. Plus the various women's groups/churchs that would make us scarves/hats, etc. I always tell people how wonderful those holidays were. At least until after the gift opening was over - and many of the kids got to go home or with a relative. "Mr. May" also sponsored a couple of the kids - the Williams kids and then Vicky Tobey I think. I hope that gave them back some advantage and they have been able to be successful.
Another highlight - our summer trips to the Girl Scount camp at Tahoe. Remember the contests after every meal where we made stuff out of our plates, etc and they gave us huge candy bars when we won? I remember making myself sick eating all that chocolate - taking the bus down the mountain and them having to pull over so I could "visit the side of the road". Ugh.
And the annual vacations - it was something to look forward to, and mostly fun. Can't imagine how those poor hotel staff felt when 70 rowdy kids decended on them.
FYI - you can get your records - they will send you a copy of whatever they have on file (except court records) - you want to contact the Nevada State Library and Archives, 100 N. Stewart St., Carson City, NV 89701 775-684-3313
I found my records to be very interesting reading - funny the things that they felt they should record and the things they didn't. Throwing 10 year old children into jail at the county police station as a discipinary measure never made their documentation - nor did beatings. Opinions were allowed however. Interesting how it works - and how things have turned out.
I am making a project of collecting stories of children (and staff if they want) - stories of how you got there, what happened while you were there (good and bad) and where you are now. I know that there have to be success stories out there. You can send your stories to: nsch.stories@gmail.com - and Michael, your website isn't working right now, but when it is,please send me an email - thanks.
Deanna Bayne said:
on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 04:47 PM
I think my Grandmother and her sister might have lived there a while after their mother died of tuberculosis and their father took a new wife who didn't want his half breeds. This was likely the 1930's Vivian and Carmen Young. If anyone knew them that would nice to hear from you ... I'm trying to trace Grandmas history - she was a native Indian I think her mother was Coast Salish from Vancouver Island. Would be nice to know more. I remember her telling me once after a few drinks, that while she was there the nurse/nun/missionaries would try to scrub the indian out of her. Which I took to mean bath time sucked.
lynda dark phillips (Guest) said:
on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 01:12 PM
Just wanted to make a comment. I went to school with some of the people that lived at the childrens home. I pulled up this site because I am a school teacher and I was telling my class about the children's home and how our class president was a kid that lived there. I told them how hard he worked and the good grades he made.I mentioned Madalyn Colautti and how smart, beautiful she was. She had the coolest beehive which we all admired, so I read her letter to my class. What a great example this very successful people are.
Lynda Dark Phillips
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 08:55 AM
I was there in the early 70's, I lived with the Morrells and Mom Miller, big woman she was, but had a loving personality. My best friends was Freida Hooks and Richard Zamarrippa. Does anyone know how I can get hold of these two individuals. In reading the posts, someone talked to Freida in the 90's. My stay was a wonderful experience. Frank and Grace Morrell were good people, except when I got in trouble, then of course that old style phone book would come out and the door would shut and I knew I was going to get it. My name at that time was Maria Solorio, please feel free to contact me at Giftgivinangels@comcast.net. I would really like to see what happened to those that I spend most of my younger years with.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 09:04 AM
I decided to post another, looking for Natasha Smith and Russell Smith, they also had another brother I believe his name was Rodney Smith. If anyone out there knows how to get ahold of these three individuals please email me at Giftgivinangels@comcast.net. Thank you and God bless all.
Anonymous (Guest) said:
on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 06:22 PM
wow its a miracle any of us are functioning adults at all.some of you guys can b.s.your selves all you want into thinking what a wonderfull place the home was, the truth is most of the cottage parents were abusive drunks and the kids were so messed up most of them needed serious help.My heart aches when i think of all the unloved children. children need to be loved.I remember a small boy being held up to a wall by his throat by mr carter..who went to jail for being a wife beater etc. I wish i could turn back time and make it all better for all of you.. but i cant..all i can do is pray for all of you and hope that you all found someone to love you and you now have a safe warm place to call home. shalom..Coby
Jeff Conway (Guest) said:
on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 06:05 PM
My name is Jeff Conway. I was in Cottage 1 with Mom and Dad Head starting in November of 75, and ending my "stay" in June of 78 with Dad and Mom Bradford. I found out later that he went to prison for molesting the girls in cottage 5 I think it was. I remember visiting after I had left the Bradford's at Cottage 5 (or was it 6), and remember noticing then one of the girls sitting on his lap. I thought even then, "this ain't right." I had dinner with them, never had a problem with the Bradford's. The Heads were a little more strict, but as an adult with 4 children myself, I appreciated more what they did, and a lot of the fun times I had there. I remember feeling a lot of shame, and didn't "feel normal" when I went to the local junior high in Carson, but like I said, overall it was kind of a trip. I was friends with David Heath, Robert King (Bruce Lee Fighting Club!), Jim Nye, Kevin Opatz, Candy Opatz, remember Ernest King, heard he died selling Crack in Vegas. Mitch Tobey, and his bad-ass gold gloves champ brother Carmen, and thier beautiful and nice sister Vickie. How about Shauna Urban, my first, who I heard was found bound in barbed wire, dead in the Nevada desert. Hope it's not true. Steve McArvey, Joe Adams, Bruce Pochinski, the Jackson brohters, Chip, cool dude. I remember him and Mith Tobey having a couple of nasty fights, they were pretty evenly matched from what I remember. Contact me at: jeff_conway@yahoo.com