Daniel Memorial Orphanage
Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas
Marker Inscription
DANIEL MEMORIAL ORPHANAGE PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN AND LIFELONG FREESTONE COUNTY RESIDENT JENNINGS BRYAN DANIEL (1896-1977), ALONG WITH HIS FAMILY, CREATED A FACILITY EAST OF FAIRFIELD FOR HOMELESS AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN, WHERE BOTH THEIR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS COULD BE MET. DANIEL PLANNED THE FACILITY ON A 1,140-ACRE TRACT WHICH CONTAINED SCENIC HILLS, VALLEYS AND MEADOWS AND WAS BISECTED BY TWO RUNNING CREEKS. A CHARTER WAS GRANTED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR DANIEL MEMORIAL ORPHANAGE IN SEPTEMBER 1947. DANIEL PURCHASED FORMER BARRACKS FROM NEARBY CAMP FANNIN TO SERVE AS DORMITORIES AND DINING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SPACE, AND AN ARMY CHAPEL IN OKLAHOMA WAS LATER ACQUIRED AND REASSEMBLED AT THE SITE. ALTHOUGH THE HOME DID NOT OFFICIALLY OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 1948, THE DANIEL FAMILY GENEROUSLY ACCEPTED A FEW CHILDREN INTO THEIR HOME IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ORPHANAGE’S COMPLETION. THE HOME FLOURISHED, AND BY ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY IN 1950, THERE WERE 65 RESIDENTS. TWO MANDATORY POLICIES REQUIRED BY J.B. DANIEL INCLUDED REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE BY THE CHILDREN, AND A NON-ADOPTION POLICY TO PREVENT THE SEPARATION OF SIBLINGS. ALTHOUGH THE CHILDREN WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHORES SUCH AS TENDING LIVESTOCK, MOWING THE GROUNDS, AND HELPING IN THE KITCHEN, THEY HAD PLENTY OF TIME FOR ACTIVITIES LIKE SWIMMING, BASEBALL AND SUMMER CAMPS; THE CHILDREN ALSO ATTENDED THE FAIRFIELD SCHOOLS. THE DANIEL FAMILY CONTINUED ADMINISTRATION OF THE HOME UNTIL 1968, WHEN J.B. DANIEL RESIGNED HIS BOARD PRESIDENCY DUE TO FAILING HEALTH. THE ENTIRE FACILITY WAS DEEDED TO THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN 1970, AND CONTINUES IN OPERATION TODAY AS THE PLEASANT HILL CHILDREN’S HOME. (2010)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Moved by the plight of homeless and underprivileged children, Freestone County businessman J. B. Daniel and his family chartered this orphanage in 1947 on a sprawling 1,140-acre tract of hills, valleys, and creeks. He repurposed surplus military barracks from nearby Camp Fannin and an Army chapel from Oklahoma, and the home flourished, sheltering sixty-five children by 1950 under policies of regular worship and keeping siblings together. Deeded to the Assemblies of God in 1970, it continues today as the Pleasant Hill Children's Home.
Why it matters
Built from war-surplus buildings in the postwar boom, the home reflects the private, faith-based charity that cared for orphaned children before modern foster systems.
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Related people
- · Jennings Bryan Daniel
Themes & tags
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