Kaufman in Kaufman County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kaufman County Poor Farm
Photographed By Rheba Bybee, July 10, 2016
1. Kaufman County Poor Farm Marker
Inscription.
Kaufman County Poor Farm. . As did many Texas counties of the era, Kaufman County created a poor farm in 1883 in order to provide the indigent residents and families of the area with food, shelter, and medicine. This work program replaced earlier relief efforts. All able-bodied persons were required to work, including resident guards and county inmates convicted of minor crimes who were originally brought from the jail daily for labor; by 1893 they were housed on the farm. In the 1930s the farm was used to demonstrate new agricultural techniques. Usually filled to capacity, the farm operated until the 1970s. By 1997, a cemetery and a few buildings remained.
As did many Texas counties of the era, Kaufman County created a poor farm in 1883 in order to provide the indigent residents and families of the area with food, shelter, and medicine. This work program replaced earlier relief efforts. All able-bodied persons were required to work, including resident guards and county inmates convicted of minor crimes who were originally brought from the jail daily for labor; by 1893 they were housed on the farm. In the 1930s the farm was used to demonstrate new agricultural techniques. Usually filled to capacity, the farm operated until the 1970s. By 1997, a cemetery and a few buildings remained.
Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11988.)
Location. 32° 33.973′ N, 96° 19.085′ W. Marker is in Kaufman, Texas, in Kaufman County. Marker can be reached from South Houston Street (County Route 1388) 0.3 miles south of South Washington Street (Texas Highway 34), on the right when traveling south. Near Kaufman County Veteran's Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 S Washington St, Kaufman TX 75142, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2016, by Rheba Bybee of Seagoville, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
