Iola Explorations
Learn more about Iola by following the links below:
Old Poor Farm CrossesAddress:
5 miles north on Old Highway 169 (State Street)
About this Exploration: In 1960s, the Boy Scouts put six white crosses along the west side of the highway in front of the location of the Allen County Poor Farm, which was built during the 1930s to house the poor. It was rumored some of the people from the old Allen County Poor Home were buried there and that the scouts were honoring the dead. When the county road people moved these crosses, there was an uproar from some of the people. The truth was searched, and it was found that there is, indeed, some burials on the ground, but they are in a cemetery on the northwest part of the grounds. It's quite difficult to walk into the grave yard as there is no longer a road there. The county put the white crosses along the fence line so that the mowers could mow without disturbing the memorial. This is a drive-by exploration. If you're having trouble finding it, call the Allen County Historical Museum.
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