Greetings all, I have received several different emails over the past two years, asking about the origins of Taycheedah prison, and what it was before it became part of the state prison system. Most people seem to think, based on their family tradition, that it was a home for unwed mothers. I am interested in hearing from anyone who can shed some light on the early history of Taycheedah prison site, and how this particular farm evolved into the prison. Anyone who has any information, speculation, oral family histories, or family "inmates", I would love to know what you have, to help me piece together a history of Taycheedah for the website. I have discovered that in 1920, the census lists "Industrial Home for Women" located in the township of Taycheedah, and this is the forerunner of the prison. The 1920 census only lists the caretaker and his family, with no inmates yet. I am told that the Industrial Home for Women wasn't opened until 1921. But, the website on Taycheedah prision indicates that the Industrial home was for women who "committed crimes against morality". Is this a rough way of calling it a home for unwed mothers??????? Can anyone else shed information on the early formation of Taycheedah. The local history books seem to avoid the subject. Has anyone heard that the site was also a stone quarry in 1900? Tracy