One Hundred Years an Orphan

About the Book

St. Vincent's is the oldest institution in California dedicated to the care of boys. It is neither an orphanage, a school for delinquents nor a boarding school. It is a home for boys who have to be away from their own family circle for one of many reasons. Today it cares for some three hundred boys in the same quiet way that is has done for a century.

The story in this book contains the little known facts of its beginnings, its growth and its reconstruction. As the life story of this remarkable school unfolds, it seems to take on a personality of its own. That this "Orphan" might be better known to the people of the State of California, which it has served for one hundred years, this work has been undertaken.

Besides being the story of one institution, this work reveals the progress made in child care work during the past century.

About the Author

John T. Dwyer is a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, presently stationed as Chaplain of St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco.

Fitted by background for this kind of historical work, Father Dwyer attended a school similar to St. Vincent's as a boy. Later he did counseling work in the same school. In 1943 he was sent to St. Vincent's where he was the Principal of the School. His knowledge of St. Vincent's therefore is two sided. His interest in historical research has been demonstrated by years of research in Nevada County church history. In 1953 he produced a brochure for the Academy Library Guild entitled: "Pioneer Priest in Nevada County." This, his first book, reveals careful research and selection of material.