ILLINOIS INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND
Located at Jacksonville. The institution had its inception in a school for the blind, opened in that town in 1847 by Samuel Bacon who was himself blind.
The State Institution was created by act of the Legislature and passed Jan 13 1849 which was introduced by Richard Yates, then a Representative and was first opened in a rented house, early in 1850, under the temporary supervision of Mr. Bacon.
Soon afterward twenty-two acres of ground were purchased in the eastern part of the city and the erection of permanent buildings commenced. By January 1854 they were ready for use but fifteen years later were destroyed by fire.
Work on a new building was begun without unnecessary delay and the same was completed by 1874. Numerous additions of wings and shops have since been made and the institution, in its buildings and appointments is now one of the most complete in the country.
Instruction (as far as practicable) is given in rudimentary English branches and in such mechanical trades and avocations as may best qualify the inmates to become self-supporting upon their return to active life.