Bastrop in Bastrop County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

War Babies

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, May 24, 2018

1. War Babies Marker

Inscription. During WWII, over 300,000 troops were trained seven miles north of Bastrop at Camp Swift. Many women moved to Bastrop for a few months to be near their soldier one last time before his deployment overseas. Some of these women, upon the death of a child, had no money for burial. Assistance was provided by the owners of the Hasler Brothers Funeral Home who bought fabric from the local "five & dime" store to line small wooden coffins and purchased doll clothes for the deceased infants. The children were buried free of charge in this area of Fairview. When the mothers returned to their homes in distant towns or states the graves were forgotten. It is believed there are at least 16 war babies in unmarked graves. Their names are unknown.

The Bastrop County Historical Society has placed small crosses where the children are thought to be buried. It is speculated this area may have been reserved for local children long before the war began.

Erected 2005 by Bastrop County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, World II.

Location. 30° 6.927′ N, 97° 18.331′ W. Marker is in Bastrop, Texas, in Bastrop County. It can be reached from State Highway 95 half a mile north of Chestnut Street (State Highway 21), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bastrop TX 78602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas

and in the Austin Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

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one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Josiah Pugh Wilbarger (a few steps from this marker); William Dunbar (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Rangers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Holland Jenkins (about 300 feet away); Campbell Taylor (about 300 feet away); Jesse Halderman (about 300 feet away); Fairview Cemetery (about 400 feet away); Kerr (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bastrop.

War Babies Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, May 24, 2018

2. War Babies Gravesite

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2018, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2018, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.