The Michigan Veterans’ Facility, formerly the Michigan Soldiers’ Home, was authorized by Act 152 of the Public Acts of 1885 to establish a home for disabled Michigan veterans after efforts by Civil War veterans in the Grand Army of the Republic. It was dedicated in December 1886 with speeches by Governor Russell A. Alger, governor-elect Cyrus G. Luce, former governor Austin Blair, and legislators. The need for nursing care was soon recognized, and in 1891 an 80-bed hospital and an 80-bed annex were added to the 320-bed main building, followed in 1893 by a 30-bed unit for women dependants. In 1894 the fountain and the Civil War soldiers statue in the cemetery were completed, and they are the only remaining structures from that period. A new hospital was built in 1909. The buildings served Civil War veterans until 1938, when the last resident veteran of that conflict died. Veterans of the Spanish-American War and World War I were then admitted, making construction of the Mann and Rankin buildings necessary. By 1965 World War II and Korean War veterans were using the facility in such numbers that a new concept of services was needed, and in 1975 a new building replaced many of the oldest structures as increasing numbers of Vietnam veterans required assistance. At its centennial in 1986, with support from an employee network, veterans’ organizations, the Board of Managers, and volunteers, the facility continued serving the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of many of Michigan’s disabled and needy veterans.