In 1832, Wayne County built a poorhouse in Detroit at Gratiot and Mt. Elliott Avenues in Hamtramck. By 1834, the poorhouse was so badly overcrowded that hundreds of acres were purchased in Nankin Township. Eloise was built here in 1839.
In 1894, when the complex grew to a size in need of its own post office, the postmaster of Detroit named it after his four year old daughter, Eloise. The name Eloise became the name associated with this huge complex which over the years was known as a poorhouse, a large farm, a tuberculosis sanitarium, an infirmary, a general hospital and a psychiatric hospital. For most people, “Eloise”, meant a mental asylum.
Tyler Moll, City of Wayne Historical Museum Director, will explore the 140-year history of Eloise, the Wayne County Poorhouse and Asylum.
He will chronicle the early years, through the peak of the institution when over 10,000 people lived there, and the final closure in 1979.
What: Real History of Eloise Asylum
When: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Where: Friends Activity Room @ Canton Public Library (1200 S. Canton Center rd, Canton, MI)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info
https://cantonpl.bibliocommons.com/events/66cded09c7eadf173e3329c7
Canton Historical Society
https://www.cantonhistoricalsocietymi.org/?page_id=29
