IQ classification system: (old system)

0-24.....idiot
25-49.....imbecile
50-69.....moron
70-89.....borderline
90-up.....normal

At one time all levels of classification were housed at the center, but towards it's closing, it mainly housed those with an IQ of 24 or under. Of course we don't use this system today.

Patients

In 1938, the center held 3,806 patients. In 1953, it held 4400 patients, then it started to decline in 1964 when the number dropped to 4084.

Purpose

This facility housed mentally disabled people, disabled people and even orphans

The Old Farm

At one time it was said that the dairy farm had about 225 milking cows that produced an average of 3,500 quarts or half a ton of milk a day which was all consumed at the center. It had 450 registered Holsteins-the largest registered in Michigan at the time. The bakery used 200 lbs a week of lard. They had 15 hundred chickens that produced eggs. And an 100 acre garden that had all types of fruits and vegetables. They had 600 hogs and all meat was slaughtered at the facility's slaughterhouse.

The Center Beggining and End

The Oakdale Center for the mentally ill was opened in August 1895 and stayed opened until October 1991. The center was closed due to the lack of patients. Patients started to be put in to group homes. The closing of the center caused up to 600 lay-offs in the 1990s.