This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: gingernelson40 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.southdakota.counties.custer/40.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I know a little bit about Sanator. When I was in high school I worked in the kitchen there - not 1919 !! but in the late '50's. I live in Rapid City, not too far away. Let me make a phone call or two and see what I can find out about old records. I do know that, at one time, Sanator was almost like a little city. It sits in a beautiful part of the Black Hills surrounded by pine trees, granite rocks and green meadows. They ran a dairy, had gardens. Patients who went there usually were there for years since there was no "cure" for tuberculosis. It was believed that the fresh air, peaceful atmosphere, good food and rest they got there was beneficial to healing. There were dormitories with verandas where the patients could sit out in the fresh air. By the time I was working there TB was on the way to being almost a thing of the past. There were medicines to help fight the disease and many patients were able to leave after a period of treatment - some however, with advanced cases of tuberculosis stayed until they died. Today the facility is a prison for delinquent boy called Star Academy. For a period of time Sanator was used to house South Dakota's severly mentally retarded. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.