Third Grade Class of
Briggs Elementary School
Maquoketa Iowa
Three of our third grade classes are completing a research
project on orphan trains and, more specifically, on orphans and
waifs who became members of our community after being brought
here on an orphan train in 1919. From 1854 to 1929, an effort
was made to place homeless children, mostly from New York City,
in homes around our country. They were taken by train and often
lined up at predetermined stops to be "looked over"
and adopted or indentured. Those not selected were taken to the
next stop in hopes of finding each child a new home. For many
children, life improved because they found homes with loving adults
to care for them. For others, life became more miserable as they
found themselves in homes where they were used chiefly for slave
labor. This is a little-known chapter of Iowa's history, but one
which brought 8,000 homeless children to our state!
Since 1996 was Iowa's Sesquicentennial, we thought it was a perfect
time for making a statewide effort to collect Iowa's orphan train
stories! Even if you aren't from Iowa, chances are that you have
orphan train riders and their descendents living in your state,
since the orphan trains took children to 47 of the 50 states!
The Iowa Orphan Train Project (United States
Orphan Train Project??)
Student Outcomes
Lesson Plans
Orphan Train Resources
Iowa Orphan Train Stops
Dedication
Thanks to These People....