Historical Images of Porter County

St. Michael American Russian National Orphan Home
McCool, Indiana

Date: Circa 1910
Source Type: Postcard
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: AZO
Postmark: None
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: This structure, constructed in 1875 by Josephus Wolf, still stands in Portage Township, Porter County, Indiana, and is more commonly known as the Wolf mansion. The 7,800 square foot residence includes a cupola and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The St. Michael's American Russian National Orphan Home was incorporated in Gary, Lake County, Indiana, in 1919. The directors of the organization were Mike Chigas, George L. Fedorko, John Oleska, Mike Pilliel, and John Primich. Occupants immediately prior to St. Michael's orphans were the William Addison Shook and Mary Lunette (Florence) Shook family.

Original plans for an orphan home included a purchase of 500 acres of land, which embraced the Wolf mansion, and the erection of a new home with a large school. Total costs for the real estate and new construction was to exceed $120,000, or about $1.75 million today [2018].

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