Guide to the Thorn Hill School for Boys Records 1909-1962
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Thorn Hill School for Boys Records
- Creator
- Thorn Hill School for Boys
- Collection Number
- MSS 0763
- Extent
- 4.25 linear feet 3 boxes and 1 o/s folder
- Date
- 1915-1965
- Abstract
- Thorn Hill School for Boys, also known as the Allegheny County Industrial and Training School for Boys, was a reform school in Marshall Township, Pa., which operated from 1911 until 1978. The school housed, trained, and educated boys ages 11 through 18 who were delinquent wards of Allegheny County and those who committed crimes and were sentenced by Juvenile Court. The Thorn Hill School for Boys Records contains reports of the superintendent to the Board of Managers, books of check receipts, two daily record books, oversized water supply maps of the school grounds, and images of staff, students, and school buildings.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant and a donation from the North Hills Genealogists.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Thorn Hill School for Boys, also known as the Allegheny County Industrial and Training School for Boys, was a reform school in Marshall Township, Pa., which operated from 1911 until 1978. The school housed, trained, and educated boys ages 11 through 18 who were delinquent wards of Allegheny County and those who committed crimes and were sentenced by Juvenile Court. Boys sent to the school committed a range of crimes from incorrigibility to rape. Their mission was to rehabilitate and train juvenile offenders to become productive members of society through both strategic nurturing and supervised training.
The complex occupied 1500 acres of land and held 70 structures. Total annual enrollment peaked near 500 in the early 1920s; however, the average enrollment usually fell between 200 to 250 boys per year. The boys were assigned to dormitory-style cottages which were supervised by cottage parents. Half of their day was spent on academic endeavors, while the other half involved agricultural development. The school was almost completely self-sustained, living off crops from its fields, fruit from its orchard, and various livestock. For example, in 1950 Superintendent Dan L. Rees reported to the school's Board of Managers that the school operated in 1949 for $178,229 because the boys grew $92,907 worth of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Extracurricular activities were available as well. Boys participated in school plays and competed against local schools and clubs in basketball and baseball. Boys often ran away, only to be caught or to return on their own. Boys who ran away often claimed that their reason was the disciplinary measures given by staff members. Violent outbreaks between boys occurred but were rare.
The 1500 acre parcel of land Thorn Hill School occupied began to be coveted for commercial development in the early 1960s, especially with the expansions of Route 19, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Interstate 79. In 1962, Allegheny County transferred 1000 acres of school land to the state, which took over operations of the school and renamed it the Warrendale Youth Development Center. Through the 1970s, the facility transitioned from a short-term care facility to a day treatment center. Eventually, the operation became known as the Day Treatment Center of Allegheny County and in 1979 was moved to a location on the North Side. Most of the land was then acquired by the Regional Industrial Development Corporation and became the site of the Thorn Hill Industrial Park.
Scope and Contents
The Thorn Hill School for Boys Records contains administrative records of the school. There are reports of the superintendent to the Board of Managers (1928-1931 and 1956-1962), which document the boys' behavior, academics, crops and livestock, and finances. The reports also provided demographic information on the boys including enrollment numbers, denomination, race, nativity of parents, parental relations, and reasons for commitment. Box two contains three books of check receipts (1917), and two daily record books (1915-1931) which includes a list of discharges, discipline logs, and hospital and dentist lists. Box three contains photographs of the staff, students, grounds, and buildings captured by two Thorn Hill employees, Regina and Robert McKibben. Images of the students and staff depict various outings and activities at the school during their time as employees. Activities include athletics, plays, birthday parties, and holidays. The four oversized maps and blueprints within the collection depict the school grounds and were used to chart water supply routes and conduct property surveys.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Judith A. Oliver in 2007. Archives accession # 2007.0256
Photographs gift from Corinne West in 2013, in memory of Regina and Robert McKibben. The donation was made on behalf of the Caivano-McKibben grandchildren. Archives accession 2013.0075
Preferred Citation
Thorn Hill School for Boys Records, 1915-1965, MSS 763 , Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Alex J. Toner on 04/03/12. An inventory was created by library and archives staff in 2007. Finding aid edited and container list added by Bryan Brown on 3/12/21.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
A Pennsylvania Chronicle: The History of Marshall Township . Judith A. Oliver, 1988. F157.A49.M367. Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center.
Marshall Township Records, 1909-1988, MSS 762, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Thorn Hill School for Boys
- Allegheny County Industrial and Training School for Boys
- Warrendale Youth Development Center
- Wexford (Pa.)
- Warrendale (Pa.)
- Juvenile delinquency -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County
- Juvenile Delinquency--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Male juvenile delinquents -- Pennsylvania -- Warrendale
- Juvenile corrections -- Pennsylvania
- Manual training -- Pennsylvania
- School children -- Pennsylvania -- Warrendale
- Cross-dressing -- Pennsylvania
- Agriculture -- Pennsylvania
- Reformatories -- Pennsylvania