State Fair Architecture Tour - Better Babies Building (1928)
Great strides were made in medicine in the early 1900s, along with a lot of interest in promoting the new scientific approach to health and medicine. This little building also conveys a dark side to public health policy that was prevalent in many states in the 1920s. Eugenics was promoted by many scientists as a cure to “defects” in health and social behavior. Part of the function of this building was to promote the concept of improving health by fostering the creation of “better babies.” This pavilion was built in the style of a bungalow house and originally housed information and exhibits about infant health. Later the State Board of Health used the building for exhibits. In 1966, it was remodeled into an old-fashioned drug store.
Better Babies Building (Hook's Drugs)
