The establishing of such an institution at that time looked like a great undertaking; and had it not been for this encouraging testimony concerning the result, there would have been some delay in taking hold of the work. Instead of delay, however, only a few days passed after the close of the conference before the spacious dwelling house of Judge Graves, with eight acres of land, constituting his beautiful place of residence in West Battle Creek, was purchased. Adjoining this building a two-story addition was at once constructed to serve as bath-rooms. In these buildings the Health Reform Institute was opened. GSAM 360.2
In the Review of June 19, 1866, the first general call for stock in the institution was made. In the same number of the paper a statement was made that stock had already been subscribed by the churches of Battle Creek, Mich., and Olcott, N.Y., to the amount of $2,625, or 105 shares of $25 each. As there was no law in the State of Michigan under which a corporation for managing health institutions could be formed, the property was held in trust for a time, until an incorporation could be effected. GSAM 360.3