1763 St. Rt. 60 RR 6
Ashland, Ohio 44805
(419) 289-1920

Our History:

The first Ashland County Home was built in 1850 at a cost of $4,000.00. George W. Urie and Sylvester Alger were the architects and builders. No pictures of this building have been found. However, a two-story brick structure still stands which may have been used for this home as a carriage house or a jail, or both.

By the early 1890's, this building was no longer adequate for the people who occupied it. In 1897 a new building was begun by local contractor, J. W. Myers, whose bid of $28.000.00 had been accepted in July. Vernon Redding, who also designed the present junior high school and several churches and homes in Ashland, was the architect. Theo McNeely did the carpentry and finishing, including six ornate oak mirrored mantle pieces. One of these mantle pieces is in the present office of the home.

Mervin Oyer was the supervisor of the farm operation. Each summer his mother and her helpers canned numerous fruits and vegetables. There was also meat provided by the farm, which was butchered on the premises. They would butcher enough meat to last the entire winter. Farming was discontinued when the state prohibited the use of home-processed food for institutions. The land is now leased to a local farmer.

The most recent superintendents have been John H. Kahl (1939-1950); Milton (Pete) Mumaw (1950-1966); his son Phillip Mumaw (1966-1974); Jack Bowles (1974-1991); Greg Keener (1991-1994); and John McMullen (1994-2006).

In 1974, the county commissioners said that the home had become a "maintenance nightmare" and decided that it was not cost effective to upgrade the building to meet state requirements. A $1.2 million bond issue was put on the ballot for a new facility. The electorate gave the home construction a 2,555 vote victory. The new home was dedicated November 9, 1975 and is the current building being used today.

Today the Heartland Home is a facility that provides care twenty-four hour a day. The Heartland Home is the least expensive form of long-term care. The Heartland Home is providing services for an average of 73 residents, and up to 87 can be accommodated.