Fayette County Poor House and Farm

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Marker Text:  The history of poor houses and farms dates back to English relief laws enacted in 1594 and expanded in 1601. This tradition of government-enacted charity continued in the American colonies and states. In 1840, two years after Fayette County was established, county commissioners appropriated funds to build a log building to be used as a poor house. However, in 1844, appropriations were cancelled and the county paid individuals directly to care for indigent residents. After the Civil War, the Texas Constitution directed counties to establish poor houses to care for the indigent and poor. It took until November 1877 for local plans to establish a poor house. The earliest description is of a one-story, eight-room house with garret, located two miles east of La Grange on Cedar Creek.
    On May 24, 1888, the county purchased 24 acres from the Fayette County Stock and Fair Association. The new poor house and farm included a superintendent’s house, with
additions of a building for African American residents, storage buildings and wells. Within
the property, 1.18 acres were set aside for a cemetery for indigent residents, called the
Paupers Cemetery or the Poor Farm Cemetery. Though the earliest headstone dates to 1900, there are likely earlier burials among the numerous unmarked graves. The cemetery is still in use for persons who pass away in the county with no other means of burial.
      The Fayette County Poor Farm was ordered closed in January 1959. Though the buildings are gone, the site continues to be a reminder of early attempts to care for the indigent population of the area. (2019) 

Marker No: 22585

27 x 42 Aluminum Subject Marker 

Geographic: 29.90544, -96.85831

Location: 841 South Reynolds Street, La Grange