Oak Crest Residence

“It’s not the years in your life it’s the life in your years”

      Abraham Lincoln

 
Text Box: Founded in 1904, Oak Crest has flourished for over one hundred years. Occupying a unique place in the history of long term care and our community as a privately operated, non profit retirement center. During an eastern trip, Mrs. George Peck, wife of an Elgin department store owner, visited a home for the elderly in Pennsylvania, impressed by it’s facilities, she wanted to have Elgin to have a similar residence. While discussing the idea with Mr. and Mrs. Lord, the city’s leading philanthropists, she was delighted to learn that Mary Lord’s will already included a bequest for such a purpose. In 1904 a charter was obtained for a non-denominational sponsorship by the Old Peoples Home of Elgin, this name was changed to Oak Crest Residence in 1959. George P. Lord donated his family homestead on a seven acre site on the crest of the south State Street hill. The former Lord home was raised and under the supervision of architect W. Wright Abell construction was begun. Housing distinguished residents with memories filled with long and useful lives, Oak Crest has managed to also adapt to change and maintain a long and useful life. Text Box: Oak Crest is a not for profit organization, and designated a 501 c 3 charitable institution as such all donations are tax deductible. Oak Crest is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health Text Box: The first members of Oak Crest pose proudly in front of their new home in 1906