LIVERPOOL, England – Strawberry Field, the children's home that inspired a song by The Beatles (search), has closed after 69 years.
The Salvation Army, which ran the home, said it decided to close the facility on Tuesday because the emphasis now is on placing children in foster homes or small sites.
As a child, John Lennon (search) spent much of his time playing at Strawberry Field.
"Strawberry Fields Forever (search)" was released in February 1967 with "Penny Lane" on the reverse side of the record. It quickly made it to No. 2 in the British charts. It was kept out of the top slot by Engelbert Humperdinck's "Release Me."
Lennon left money to Strawberry Field in his will. His widow, Yoko Ono (search), donated the equivalent of $70,000 in 1984 to keep the home open.
Only three children remained in the home in January, when the Salvation Army announced it would close. All three have been placed elsewhere.
The Salvation Army spokeswoman said there are no plans for the building and its grounds, which have been a pilgrimage site for Beatles fans over the years.
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