Erected
in 1868, the venerable Stone House, located upon the campus of The Pines Healthcare
& Rehabilitation Center, is the sole surviving structure of the 19th Century
Cattaraugus County Alms-House and Insane Asylum, which became the Cattaraugus
County Home/Farm and Infirmary. The
institution was established in 1833 when the County Legislature resolved to acquire
property to care for the indigent, aged, orphaned, infirm and insane. In 1834,
the County purchased 200 acres, including the existing site, for $2300.00, and
started construction of several wood-framed buildings for the patients. The Napier
family of stonemasons from Machias erected the existing Gothic style Stone House
as the Alms-House (poor house), for the princely sum $18,000.00. The Napiers were
accomplished craftsmen, and also constructed the original Ten Broeck Academy at
Franklinville, NY (DEMOLISHED), the Illinois State Capitol at Springfield, Ill.,
and all the trestles and piling for the NY & Philadelphia Railroad between
Machias and Emporium, PA. The 1869 Beers & Co. Atlas of Cattaraugus County
depicts a stoUe quarry near the Napier homestead, in southeastern Machias, near
the Catt. Co. Highway building on Rt. 16. Due to its proximity to the Napier property
and the building's location, it's likely the quarry provided the natural
material for the Stone House, which remains as a monument to the industriousness
and deft skill of the Napier family. By
1885, there were 60 residents in the Stone House, including "paupers, idiots,
and epileptics". Throughout the 19'' and 20th Centuries, the Alms-House
and farm was a shining example rural self-reliance. The bustling barn complex
across the street provided dairy, meat and poultry products for the institution,
and was supplemented by bountiful gardens and orchards. The residents and County
employees of the institution provided the farm labor. The wood-framed residences
and outbuildings were demolished, and the acreage and barn complex across the
street were sold in 1957, leaving the Stone House as the sole vestige of a very
successful 19u' Century socioeconomic communal enterprise. Finally,
the Stone House is a solemn memorial to the 123 (at least) souls buried in the
paupers field just north of the Stone House on Rt. 16, across from Lime Lake.
These former Indigent residents of the Stone House had no family or funds for
interment in a "mainstream" cemetery. Throughout
its 135-year history, the Stone House has been on the chopping block before. During
construction of the existing nursing home in 1961 and extensive renovations in
1979, the Stone House was also in jeopardy. Thanks to the foresight of the former
County Legislatures, however, the Stone House was recognized for its historical
value, and spared from demolition. To its credit, the current Legislature has
maintained the Stone House in fine condition and it is not a dilapidated, crumbling
structure. Today, the fully functional, handicapped-accessible building is utilized
by the Catt. County Dept. of Nursing Homes & the Dept. of Health, and open
to the public. If you have not seen the building recently, please visit to gain
a better appreciation for its remarkable condition and viability. Granted,
the Stone House is not a National treasure like Mount Vernon, and its original
gable roof and fourth floor attic space have been removed. However, these alterations
do not diminish its intrinsic value as a precious thread woven deeply into the
rich historical fabric of Cattaraugus County. As the oldest continually operated
County building, and indeed the only County owned landmark left, the Stone House
is a tenacious survivor, worthy of preservation and continued use. The
Cattaraugus County Museum is in the Stone House on the campus of the Pines Healthcare
& Rehabilitation Center. Exhibits of Cattaraugus County history with special biannual
exhibits that feature an aspect of the Museum collections. Research Library is
available for local history and genealogy research. Hours
of Operation:
Tuesday
through Friday 9-4
The first and third Saturdays of each month from 1-4 Admission:
There
is no admission charge but donations are welcome Equal
Access: Yes
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