The Illinois General Assembly instructed the Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities to plan the Illinois State Colony for Epileptics (1899) but construction and operational funds were not appropriated until 1913. Construction began on the Dixon site under Board of Administration supervision (1909-1917). The colony opened on May 1, 1918, but since the Board of Administration had been abolished by the Civil Administrative Code of 1917, the new institution came under Dept. of Public Welfare jurisdiction. Although the institution originally was designed exclusively for epileptic care, its duties were expanded to include care for the feeble-minded. To reflect this change, the colony was renamed Dixon State Hospital and later Dixon State School. A practical nursing school opened in 1927. The Dept. of Mental Health assumed control of Dixon State School (1961-) and renamed it Dixon Developmental Center (1975- ).
From the description of Case files [microform], 1918-1950. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 36886865
