Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Wise County Poor Farm & Cemetery
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
1. Site of Wise County Poor Farm & Cemetery Marker
Operated 1885-1962 to support and employ dependent or needy citizens and as place for county convicts to work out fines. First superintendent of the 320-acre farm, R. Suffert, managed all land and activities and his wife cooked, washed, and sewed for both inmates and guards. Of inmates buried in the now-leveled cemetery at bend of Center Creek, only names known are Steve Abbey, Sarah McCain, Jim Wilson, Jim M. Goodner, Bill Hodge; Rankin, Owens (surnames); Della, Edna, Ike, and Mariah. In 1969 county sold buildings and 12 acres of farm at auction.
Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4916.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 33° 12.513′ N, 97° 35.717′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. It is on South Old Reunion Road 0.3 miles south of Preskitt Rd, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 513 S Old Reunion Rd, Decatur TX 76234, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Wise County Reunion (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Decatur (approx. half a mile away); Decatur Baptist College (approx. 1.1 miles away); Episcopal Mission of the Ascension (approx. 1½ miles away); Texas Tourist Camp
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Another marker is no longer nearby. Sam Woody's Cabin (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
2. Site of Wise County Poor Farm & Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2. submitted on August 31, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
