The Collett Orphanage in Cayuga

This was the Collett Home for orphans and/or children who needed a home. Donated by Mr. Collett after his death and the surrounding land. The home burned down in the 90â™s, I believe. Iâ™m not positive, but believe a smaller home might have been rebuilt. The location of this home was Cayuga, IN, Hwy 63.

I recall that the Collet Home was nearly finished with a major remodel when I drove north on SR 63 that fateful morning to see the great columns charred and toppled over. I knew Norm Edris who was on the board that undertook the renovation and Arron Frink who did the work. Everyone was shaken. Yes, a smaller home for troubled teens was built afterward.

I found pictures in a antique mall in Markle IN. I think it is your orphans home when I seen these I thought they were interesting part of our history.
IF YOU ARE interested in the pictures scan them to your Email address. names and descriptions on back.

This was also referred to as the poor house. My grandmother lived here during the depression, her dad was the vermillion county sheriff in 1922-1924 and again in 1928-1931.Harry Newland

yes i grew up there in the 60s was there 10 years. had a brother steve n sister elaine that was there with me.

I lived here from July 1993 until June 1995. Lee Avenatti was the Director. He was a decent coach for a basketball team we had one season, but i can't say many other kind words about him. We found some books in the attic. One was a record/ log about the persons having stayed there. It ranged from near 1910s to some time in the 1960s, if memory serves me. There was a number of deaths recorded, most during the depression era. One boy was killed when he fell from the upstairs to the basement via the laundry or trash chute. It also mentioned how Stephen Collett died from injuries sustained from falling off the roof during construction, I believe this was in 1904, perhaps earlier. There was alot of truly sad occurrences noted in that log. I remember the picture of Josephus Collett that hung in the hallway... No matter where you stood, it always looked like he stared straight back at you. I read that these Collett brothers were stupendous business men, and an integral part of expanding the railroad from Terre Haute to Chicago. During my stay, i didn't realize just how much history was all around me.

I believe the "poor house" was south of Newport where the Vermillion County jail is now. Vern and Mary Alderson were in charge of the "poor house" at one time.

I lived there with chis In 93 an the small house was already built

Yeah read two of the brothers died while helping build it

It was also rumored to be haunted by the kids who stayed an died there when was first opened

Nick McCoy, get a hold of me. c_newsome@yahoo.com Looking forward to hearing from you.

I'm Christopher willhoite I was there for 6-7 years Lee avanetti was the man who ran it I remember all the staff and other childrens names yeah it was an experience upo. It's self this takes me so far back idk.....:::;;

Chris Willhoite? I don't remember you there, but weren't we at FCC in Mishawaka together? Last time I saw you we were in Alexandria, 1996! I was staying with... David? Doran, I think that was our friend's name. He had 3 sisters: Mandy, Lou, and Heather. When were you at the Collett Home? My email link is above.

My mother and my Aunt Mary have told me that they lived there as of age 5 and 6 years old. Nellie May Howe

My Dad John Moore,said he was at the Collett home for about a year,in 1940 or 41.He said one of his older sisters came and got him.Thats all I can remember him saying about it.

I'm looking for someone who has records of the Collett home in Cayuga, In. Looking to find out why my mother-in-law was there. I was in 1949

I am researching the Nevins family that lived in Eugene late 1800’s-early 1900’s. One of their sons died leaving a widow and 5 children. The youngest 2 were on the census for 1910 as “inmate” at Collett Home. They later went back to live with their mother. If you see this message, Charles Howell I would be very interested if any Nevins are on the photos you mentioned.

I know this place. My fathers Walthall family is long standing in the Vermillion Co., area. For a short time in the early 70s I lived in Newport. Noticed names from other comments. I have McCoys' and Jones' in my family tree as well as so many more Vermillion Township Pioneers Families.

I was looking for pictures of the old mansion. I was a resident in the newer building BEFORE the mansion burned. We still went to school in the old mansion. Any history pictures etc. would be greatly appreciated. I did do some snooping around and found interesting tid bits and have heard some stories. I was interested in some of the death certificates and whatnot I came across. For example the deaths by drowning, rumor has it that years ago it was more than just a place for boys but people who had polio etc. I had some haunting like experiences but more convinced it was the staff trying to scare us lol. My e-mail is segilders@iendeavor.com

My father was there in the late '20s-early '30s but aside from a 1930 census I have no idea about the exact dates. Is there any way to get that information? I was also curious about the administrator at that time because sketchy family lore is that she may have been related to the family from NJ who eventually took my dad in as a foster child.

My father was there in the late '20s-early '30s but aside from a 1930 census I have no idea about the exact dates. Is there any way to get that information? I was also curious about the administrator at that time because sketchy family lore is that she may have been related to the family from NJ who eventually took my dad in as a foster child.

reply to nancy motley people in my photos are elma maria cloues 1924 elma fauniel harden and a child george e. harden