This news story caught my eye, Kadner: Graves, bones of Cook County poor found near Oak Forest. Recently, some workers accidentally dug up unmarked grave in one of the Cook County Forest Preserves near Oak Forest. Since our college is on the edge of some of the Forest Preserves, this felt pertinent for us.
Evidently, some of the land for the preserves near Oak Forest were used as a “poor farm.” This was a sort of work farm for folks in poverty who could work to earn a living. The article provides fascinating details of this social program. I had never heard of this, so I found it really interesting. Give it a read!