James Horton Memorial Home (1942 - 1947)

The Toowoomba Salvation Army Girls' Home, c. 1945, courtesy of lewisblayse.net.
Details

From: 1942
To: 1947
Categories: Home, Industrial School and Salvation Army

The James Horton Memorial Home, in Toowoomba, was an industrial school run by the Salvation Army. It opened in 1942 and was renamed the James Horton Industrial School for Girls in 1947.

In 1942, Horton House was donated to the Salvation Army by Mrs Nellie Alford. She was the daughter of James Horton, who originally built the house in the late 1800s.

When the Japanese entered World War Two, Mrs Alford donated her home to the Salvation Army in order to create a 'safe haven' for the girls who were to be evacuated from the Industrial School for Girls, Yeronga. In all, 41 girls moved into the Home in 1942.

The Home was officially opened 19 September 1942 and was called the James Horton Memorial Home, in memory of James Horton. The Home was licensed under the State Children Act 1911.

Renovations, extensions and the erection of a dormitory playshed were progressively carried out during 1944. A dining room was added in 1947.

The name changed to James Horton Industrial School for Girls in 1947.

Location

1942 - 1947: Address - James Horton Memorial Home was situated at 2 Curtis Street, Toowoomba. Location: Toowoomba

Publications

Books

Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. pp.52-53. Details

Online Resources

Blayse, Lewis, 'Some More Salvation Army Children's Homes (Or: Ve Gaf Vays Of Making You Afraid)', in lewisblayse.net, 12 January 2014, http://lewisblayse.net/2014/01/12/some-more-salvation-army-childrens-homes-or-ve-gaf-vays-of-making-you-afraid/. Details
Burley, Lacey, 'Horton Village helps the disabled', Chronicle, 31 March 2009, http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/horton-village-helps-disabled-build-skills/199129/. Details
Cleland, Sharon, Caring for the Children: A history of institutional care provided by The Salvation Army for Australian children and youth (1893-1995), Salvation Army, August 2012, https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/IND.R-001331.PS.0057_R.pdf. Details

Photos

Title: The Toowoomba Salvation Army Girls' Home
Type: Image
Date: c. 1945
Source: lewisblayse.net

Details

Title: Horton House
Type: Image
Date: November 2012
Creator: Butterworth, Lee
Source: Lee Butterworth

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Burley, Lacey, 'Horton Village helps the disabled', Chronicle, 31 March 2009, http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/horton-village-helps-disabled-build-skills/199129/; Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. pp.52-53.; Horton Village History sheet, copied from the Horton Village Policy and Procedure Manual and given to Lee Butterworth on 23 October 2012.

Prepared by: Lee Butterworth

Created: 3 April 2014, Last modified: 4 June 2014

James Horton Memorial Home (1942 - 1947)