jan 1, 1918 - Influenza Pandemic (Spanish Flu)

Description:

In 1918, an influenza flu epidemic raged throughout the U.S., which hit neighborhoods like Strawberry Hill (where large families were living in small quarters) very hard. St. John’s parish recorded seventy-one deaths that year. In the wake of the epidemic, many children were left without one or both parents. Msgr. Krmpotic, pastor of St. John’s called a meeting of parishioners, and they agreed that a home should be established to provide upbringing for these new orphans. A large house north of the rectory (the Cruise-Scroggs home_ was purchased, and Msgr. Krmpotic was able to obtain the services of the Franciscan Sisters to supervise the orphanage. Source: Strawberry Hill: A Neighborhood Study, Susan Greenbaum 1978

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