PINEY TWP. – The historic Clarion County Home, also known as the “county poor farm,” is being demolished this week following a purchase of the property by Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
The house was originally the site of the G.V. Curll farm and was bought by Clarion County commissioners in 1903 for $71 an acre.
The property was used as a working farm for the poor and the handicapped.
At 800 acres, the Sligo-based farm was self-sufficient and included livestock, a fully functioning dairy and a garden.
After the home was closed, the property switched hands several times. The buildings were used as apartments, a nursing home, and eventually became the Peaceful Valley Ashram and Retreat.
The home and 12 acres of land were purchased in 2015 by Clarview.
While some have argued that the property should be preserved as a historical landmark, Terry George, a board member for Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, said the property was past renovation and that a concrete floor had collapsed in the building.
The property is currently slotted for a possible future expansion by Clarview.
As for what the expansion might be, George said “we have a feasibility study going on now.”