Our History

The addition of Magnolia Terrace at Oak Hill in 2006 continued the legacy of meeting the needs of our community which started shortly after the first judges were appointed in Monroe County. At that time the needs of our community were assessed and it was decided that it was “humane to care for the poor and friendless” of the county.

In 1858, a poor house which was also referred to as the Alms House was built at a cost of $2,288. In 1882 the records show that the pauper bills amounted to $2,874. There was no other county in the State of Illinois “to show up as well in this respect as little Monroe”. The records documented that “the paupers are kept in an asylum with the superintendent paid $300 a year and $0.20 per day for each inmate whom he has to board, clothe, and provide with bedding. The inmates, 27 in number, are well kept, and had no complaints to make. Nine of this number are constant boarders and the others are transients”. In 1919, the county poorhouses names were changed to county homes.

In 1951, the Alms House was replaced with a new nursing home which was built on Illinois Avenue in Waterloo. Monroe County was the first county in Illinois to build a county nursing home which served as both a model and inspiration to other nursing homes. It was governed by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. A seven-acre tract of land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ben Stumpf. Construction began in 1949 and the building was completed in 1951 with a capacity for 64 residents. A $300,000 bond was issued to build the new home.

In 1949, the Public Assistance Code was passed making the relief of the indigent a function of the new county Departments of Welfare. County homes were reauthorized to only care for the infirm or chronically ill and county homes were specifically forbidden from placing destitute but physically healthy persons in county homes.

At the time of the dedication of the original facility in 1951, it was already realized that additional facilities would be needed. That first year the new facility was filled and had a waiting list. In 1953, both the original wings of the facility were extended to include bedrooms, three porches and a recreation room. This addition allowed a total of 115 residents to be cared for. In 1958, an L shaped wing was built as a second addition for an additional 64 residents along with a dining area for 150 and a basement space which was used as a recreation and activity area. The original building was 20,250 square feet. The 1953 addition added another 9000 square feet and the 1958 addition added another 20,000 square feet. After the 1958 addition, Monroe County Nursing Home had the ability to care for 136 residents with changes in state laws. The cost to live at the facility in 1966 was $175 a month.

Thousands of individuals have been employed through the Monroe County Nursing Home over the years and many healthcare careers were started here. Without the dedicated staff that has served throughout the years, the home could never have been successful. The nursing home has served as a major source of employment and for several years employed the greatest number of individuals in the county. The home has also served as a training site for many of the area schools and in the beginning, registered nurses at the Monroe County Nursing Home trained their own nursing staff.

Two prominent members of the staff were Dr. Jost and Henrietta Bauer. Dr. Jost served as the medical director and was honored for serving the home for 50 years. Dr. Jost started at the Alms house in 1942 as the county physician and later became medical director at the nursing home. Mrs. Bauer served the home for 21 years and brought the home from the original facility with 64 residents to the 225-bed home that was finished in 1971.

The 1971 wing which was built accommodated an additional 84 patients with four private rooms and 40 semi private rooms. With this new addition MCNH could care for 225 residents and was the largest facility of its kind in the State of Illinois. The new addition included a dining room, beauty shop, therapy area and a new kitchen and laundry area in the basement. The monthly charge was $404 per month.

During the next three decades, additional changes were added to improve the home. In 1983, a chapel was dedicated in the basement area. Pastor Wehrenberg dedicated the chapel. He was very instrumental in the creation of this chapel area. During the 1990’s, adult day care services and a dedicated special care Alzheimer’s unit were added as services provided. The facility also received a facelift with several physical changes including the addition of a therapy area, a canopy over the front entrance, an enclosed garden and the remodeling of the hallways.

In 2002, an evaluation was made to determine the cost of needed improvements at the home. In order to bring the current structure up to code and provide an attractive, more modern environment, several million dollars would need to be invested in the current home. In April 2003, an advisory vote was brought to the voters of Monroe County in an effort to seek the opinion and support of the citizens of Monroe County for a new home. The community once again supported the nursing home with 59{c383180ca56a1bec99a85b38e3dd3a76175d6222efdf1c340ec6241a23fa5749} of the voters backing the construction of a new home.

The community in Monroe County has overwhelmingly supported the home over the years through countless hours served by volunteers; generous donations for extra things the budget couldn’t support; and through the community’s commitment to maintain the ownership with Monroe County in order to provide the best services for the community.

In December, 2006 the facility on Illinois Avenue was replaced with a new facility, Oak Hill. Oak Hill was named by Monroe County Commissioner, Frank Kohler, who said that it was appropriate to name the facility Oak Hill after an estate that President Monroe owned, since the county was named after President Monroe. Not only was a new physical structure built at Oak Hill but new services were also added. The new facility included 50 supportive living apartments and a better physical layout for our Alzheimer’s special care unit.

Our Supportive Living apartments named Magnolia Terrace were the ideal service for Monroe County to offer the seniors in our community as once again, Monroe County had identified a need in the community to meet. Magnolia Terrace allows residents the independence and privacy of an apartment while still providing support and security.

Magnolia Terrace residents are active and have lots of fun. One of the primary focuses of Magnolia Terrace is wellness which is promoted in several ways such as physical activities including yoga and regular exercise classes; trips to local attractions; meals out at local restaurants; painting classes; regularly scheduled games; cards; entertainment groups; gardening; visits with a variety of animals; and our walking trail.

In fact, Magnolia Terrace was recognized by the Waterloo Republic Times as the Best Assisted Living facility in the area.

Magnolia Terrace also hosts many regular events such as our annual Octoberfest, block party, dog show and veteran’s recognition. There are also regular family nights with a complimentary meal and entertainment for those that live at Magnolia Terrace and their families. There are monthly Kloepper tournaments and complimentary hand scooped ice cream for all during the summer months in our gift shop.

There are so many opportunities for friendship and socializing. Everything that is offered at Magnolia Terrace allows those living there to experience life to the fullest and continues the rich history of providing the best for those living in Monroe County.