Site of the Pioneer Dickson Orphanage
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member QuarrellaDeVil
N 32° 42.990 W 094° 56.573
15S E 317911 N 3621527
Texas Historical Marker along the curb of a pullout in front of the Gilmer Inn at 1018 US 271 in Gilmer, providing a few sound bytes about the Dickson Colored Orphanage that operated here in some shape or form in the early to mid 20th century.
Waymark Code: WM1B32C
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/24/2024
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member YoSam.
Views: 2
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CBS 19 (KYTX, Tyler/Longview) has a really nice story about both the orphanage and its cemetery, which is across the highway and just a bit south of here. The accompanying video is also available on YouTube.

At the base of the historical marker is a preserved cornerstone from 1901. Although it's been broken and put back together, most of the writing is quite legible save for the first letter of the building name. It's probably "H", for O.L Halbert, a minister who was one of the orphanage's trustees.

Marker Number: 11306

Marker Text:
Only home in Texas for Negro orphans for thirty years, 1900-1929. Founded by W.L. Dickson, Negro Baptist minister, only superintendent home ever had.

Orphans remained here until they reached 21, unless adopted or indentured by good families. A choir of children made good-will trips to raise funds.

In Aug., 1929, home was deeded to the state, together with 700 acres of land and 27 buildings. Name was then changed to the Gilmer State Orphanage for Negroes, which ran until 1943, when the children (about 180) moved to state home in Austin. (1968)
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