Clarksville in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Confederate Men's Home
The Confederate men's home began in 1884 as a project of the John B. Hood Camp of United Confederate Veterans and was intended as a residence for disabled and indigent Confederate veterans. Potential residents were required to prove that they had served honorably in the Civil War, that they had a disability that prevented them from supporting themselves, and that they did not suffer from any contagious diseases.
The Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy led fundraising efforts for the home. In 1886, the John B. Hood Camp purchased sixteen acres with a two-story building at 1600 West Sixth Street, and the Confederate Men's Home opened later that year. The home was operated by the Veterans' Camp with funding from public contributions until 1891, when oversight was assumed by the state of Texas. The State Legislature established the Board of Control to operate the home in 1920, and then in 1949, responsibility was transferred to the Board for Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools. The site eventually grew to twenty-six acres and included a large administration building, living quarters, a hospital and private cottages.
From the time of its inception until the death of the last resident veteran in 1954, more than 2,000 Confederate veterans were admitted to the home. During the mid-twentieth century, the scope of the home shifted to include disabled veterans of the Spanish-American War and World War I, as well as mental health patients. The home operated until 1963, when residents were transferred to Kerrville, and the site’s buildings were razed in 1970.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16464.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 30° 16.553′ N, 97° 45.855′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Clarksville. Marker is at the intersection of West 6th Street and Campbell Street, on the right when traveling west on West 6th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1624 West 6th Street, Austin TX 78703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Austin High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Mathews School (approx. ¼ mile away); Family Home of Dr. R. K. Smoot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clay Pit Bucket Tower (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clarksville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Travis County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Las Ventanas (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Johnson Home (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.