The orphan train

Orphan Trains

By slinnevers

  • Children's Village Established

    Children's Village is one of the three organizations that supplied orphans to the trains moving West.

  • Children's Aid Society Founded

    Another organization that gave orphans to the train movement founded. *exact date unknown

  • First Train of Orphans Sent Out

    46 girls and boys between 10-12 sent on a train with two chaperones to Dowagiac, Michigan

  • Orphans in 1854

    In 1854 the number of homeless orphans on NYC streets reaches 34,000

  • Children Are Inspected By Future "Parents"

    Children were inspected from their teeth, hair, muscles, and appearance. It was stressful and scary that children may not get a home if they were not appealing.

  • New York Founding Hospital Founded

    Last of the three organizations that gave orphans to the trains founded

  • States Begin to Pass Laws on Placement of Orphans

    1887 Michigan passes first law in U.S. regulating placement of children within the state.

  • Three More States Pass Legislation

    Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota pass similar laws to Michigan.
  • Period: to

    7 More States Pass Legislation

    Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota pass laws about in-state child placment.

  • Last Train Of Orphans Goes Out

    1929 the last train ride of orphans goes out.