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Susan Larson is the winner!

Givens Hall, once a part of State Hospital North and now a part of Idaho Correctional Institution Orofino, is the answer for Week 191 of Orofino History Trivia a special feature to celebrate the history and heritage of Clearwater Country.

Join in the discovery!

Monday: Deer played on the grass.

Tuesday: Its purpose has changed over the years.

Wednesday: Theater

Givens Hall was named after State Hospital North's first administrator, Dr. John W. Givens. He came with the first patients in 1905 and patients lived in tents until facilities could be built. He served until 1926.

Givens Hall was originally constructed as a patient dormitory. It also housed a theater where in the 1980s community groups held productions. It was also the site of the FISH Thrift Store for a time. In the 1980s and 1990s it provided offices for workers with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Financial and Medical, Mental Health and Family and Children's Services.

After the Health and Welfare offices were moved downtown, Givens Hall work crews from ICIO were moved into the building, along with administrative offices for the prison.

Givens Hall is one the few buildings originally used for State Hospital North that is still standing. Most of the other buildingd were demolished to make way for the new mental health facility. The other buildings, such as McElway Hall are within the fences of the ICIO.

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Dr. John W. Givens

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Early patients of State Hospital North lived in tents until more permanent structures could be built.

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