In 1897, supervision of institutions was taken over by the State Board of Audit and Control. Superseding agencies were: Board of Control (1901-1921), the Dept. of Business Control (1921-1935), the Dept. of Finance, Budget and Business (1935-1947), and the Dept. of Public Institutions (1947-1955). The Dept. of Institutions was established in 1955 and oversaw the following institutions: School for Blind, Vancouver; various branches at Western State Hospital; Corrections Center, Shelton; School for Deaf, Vancouver; Eastern State Hospital, Medical Lake; Fircrest School, Seattle; Interlake School, Medical Lake; Lakeland Village, Medical Lake; Northern State Hospital, Sedro Woolley; Penitentiary, Walla Walla; Rainier School, Buckley; Reformatory, Monroe; Soldiers' Home, Orting; Veterans' Home, Retsil; and several juvenile detention facilities throughout the state. The Dept. of Institutions changed its name in 1970/1971 to the Division of Institutions, which was part of the Dept. of Social and Health Services.
From the description of Records of the Washington State Department of Institutions, 1955-1971. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 154690443
