Ridiculous History

The Orphan Train: That Time the US Auctioned Children Via Rail

Jul 25, 2024
The podcast discusses the disturbing history of orphan trains in the US, exploring efforts to improve public health, child auctions and labor proposals, the controversial practice of sending children to farming communities, challenges in documentation and oversight, and the impact of the orphan train movement on the foster care system.
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Episode notes
1
Intro
00:00 • 2min
2
The Disturbing History of Orphan Trains in the US
01:33 • 5min
3
Efforts to Improve Public Health and Welfare in Historical Context
06:50 • 10min
4
Child Auctions and Labor Adoption Proposal
16:52 • 4min
5
History of Orphan Trains in the United States
20:41 • 12min
6
Historical Context of Orphan Trains and Challenges of Documentation
32:58 • 9min
7
Exploring the Foster Care System and Orphan Train Movement
41:31 • 8min
8
Comparisons, acknowledgments, and sponsor mentions
49:43 • 2min