Historical Society of Baltimore County

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PEST HOUSE

Pest House, Photographed in 2001

    " The Pest House" is located right behind the Almshouse beyond a gully. It was built in 1872 at the same time as the Almshouse. While it still is attractive on the outside, it has been almost destroyed by vandals.
     In 1872, hospitals would not admit patients with communicable diseases, such as small pox. There were no effective treatments for such communicable diseases. Thus, the Pest House was used to segregate those with serious and contagious diseases. It was separated from the Almshouse by a fence. The infected had to come to the fence to get their food. Those patients recovering, or not too ill, took care of the very ill.

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