Baytown in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Bayland Orphans Home
This site, including a two-story brick house, became "The Orphans Home at Bayland." Preston was the first superintendent but died in August 1867; he was succeeded by Gillette. Gillette's sister, Jeanette Duke, a Confederate widow with two young sons, became matron of the home in 1870. Dr. Ashbel Smith served as the home's physician. From two sisters enrolling in February 1866, the orphanage grew to serve 76 youths by 1870. The Orphans Home Cemetery, now unmarked, contains at least eight burials.
In 1873, the state legislature granted the home more than 48,000 acres to sell for operating funds. Additional large gifts included land and stocks donated by William and J. J. Hendley of Galveston. By October 1886, the number of orphans had decreased to 37. Through the years, Houston was the site of most board meetings and support for the school, so in 1888, the board closed the Bayland site and relocated the home to 35 acres north of Houston (now in Woodland Heights). In Houston the home changed names, location, governance and mission but lives on today in Harris County's Burnett Bayland Rehabilitation Center. The original orphans home site in Bayland Park is remembered as the beginning of a story of charity and hope for young Texans.
Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10609.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical date for this entry is September 24, 1866.
Location. 29° 42.786′ N, 94° 59.611′ W. Marker is in Baytown, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is on Wyoming Street south of State Highway 146B, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in Bayland Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baytown TX 77520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Confederate Naval Works at Goose Creek (here, next to this marker); The Bayland Guards (here, next to this marker); George Washington Carver High School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Robert E. Lee High School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lee College (approx. 1.6 miles away); Goose Creek Stream (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ashbel Smith M.D. (approx. 2 miles away); Baytown Post Office (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baytown.
More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker originally placed in 1964 titled Bayland Orphanage.
Also see . . . Bayland Orphans' Home For Boys - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on March 19, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 132 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 19, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.