From 1816 to 1850, county homes for the poor were established under authority granted by the legislature and were called “Poor Houses."   In 1850, the legislature changed the name to “Infirmary” because it was less offensive to those obligated to accept shelter.

The Muskingum County Poor House was built in 1839 with a loan from the “Fund Commissioners” on 200 acres of the “best farm land in the county.”  The land was purchased in two segments by the commissioners in 1838 and 1863.  The building was a two-story brick structure with a stone basement.  The builder was offered the privilege of getting stone and making the brick on the “Poor House Farm”.  The “Poor House” opened in 1841.

The “Muskingum County Infirmary” was partly destroyed by fire in 1859.  It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1860.  During the Civil War, a military camp was established west of the Infirmary ground which later was know as “Camp Zanesville.” After the Civil War, enrollment increased to 140.

The first building stood on the hill west of the present structure.  Because it was old and small, the directors decided to build a new structure designed to accommodate 200 inmates and provide living quarters for the superintendent.  The “County Infirmary” also served as a place for the confinement of children, the mentally ill, and persons with epilepsy.  Although the state assumed responsibility for the mentally ill in the early 19th century, many were sent to the infirmary until it was made unlawful in 1898.

A board of infirmary directors appointed by commissioners administered the infirmary until 1913.  In that year, a state law transferred the power to the county commissioners. In 1919, another state law changed the name of county infirmaries to “County Homes.”

Perhaps the greatest change in the function of the home and the number of residents occurred as a result of the beginning of old age pensions in 1934 and state relief in 1936.  These programs reduced the number of indigent residents of Muskingum County.  With the income from pension or relief, they could afford to maintain themselves in private homes and rooming houses.  The need changed from a residence for indigent people to a home for those incapable of caring for themselves.