The Herman M. Adler Mental Health Center was a special program for emotionally disturbed & mentally retarded children. The center opened in 1967 and had an agreement with the University of Illinois to conduct research studies on the behavior of various types of disturbed children. The center was closed in 1982 for budget reasons. The Illinois State Water Survey took over the building in 1984 when it outgrew the space it was originally in and transitioning to make this site into the main Water Survey Research Center office site over the next 2 years. The Water Survey Research Center is still housed in the facility.