Dickson Orphanage
Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas
Marker Inscription
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.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
For three decades, from 1900 to 1929, this was the only home in Texas for Black orphans, founded and led by W. L. Dickson, a Negro Baptist minister who served as its sole superintendent. Children stayed until age 21 unless adopted or indentured to families, and a children's choir toured to raise funds. In 1929 Dickson deeded the home—700 acres and 27 buildings—to the state, which renamed it the Gilmer State Orphanage for Negroes and ran it until 1943, when the roughly 180 children were moved to a state home in Austin.
Why it matters
In an era of rigid segregation, Dickson's orphanage was a rare institution caring for Black children the state ignored, a monument to African American self-help and Baptist community leadership.
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Related people
- · W. L. Dickson
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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