About That Confederate Woman's Home-- Part 5: Serving Widows and Wives of Honorably Discharged Confederate Soldiers

From the Texas State Historical Association.

Opened in 1908 to take care of the wives and widows of former Confederate soldiers who had been honorably discharged.  Many of these women were related to men who were in the Texas Confederate Home in Austin.

Residents were required to be at least 60 years of age and have no means of support.

At its opening on June 3, 1908, three women were admitted to it, by 1909, 16 women called it home.  But by 1911, the expenses were too much for the UDC and it was deeded to the state.  At the time, residents numbered 18.

In 1913, a two-story addition was added which included 24 new bedrooms. and then a brick hospital was constructed to care for the increasing number of ailing residents.  From 1920 to 1935, the place housed between eighty and 110 residents any given year.

By the late 1930s, new admissions to the home were decreasing and most of the surviving residents were in poor health.  From 1938 to 1945, the population fell from eighty-seven to just fifty-five.  In 1949, the building fell under the control of the State Hospitals and Special Schools.

During the late 1950s, the nine remaining residents were housed in one wing and in 1963, the three remains women were moved into private nursing homes at state expense and the facility closed.  The state sold the property in 1986.

During the course of its run to take care of Confederate wives and widows, the home cared for 3,400 indigent women.  It was popular with the Austin community and many events took place there.

--Old Secesh

About That Confederate Woman's Home in Austin, Texas-- Part 4: And Another Sign

 Another handwritten sign has also been placed on the black plastic shrouding the Woman's Home marker.  It reads:

"History Matters.  Then the letters KKK crossed out inside a circle.

"This plaque glorifies the UDC, a group the SLPC lists as a hate group + a group w/well documented ties to the KKK.  History is important and the glorification of a white  supremacist group is an insult to our BIPOL neighbors.

We demand that this plaque be updated to reflect the true history of the YDC until then leave this or anoter notice up."

--Old Secesh

About That Confederate Woman's Home in Texas-- Part 3: But Now, AGE Has It, And...

 There is a black plastic bag over the sign now, however, with two more messages on it.

One is from the organization who now owns the building, AGE (Austin Groups for the Elderly) of Central Texas who bought it in 1986.  It is a nonprofit organization that supplies  services for older adults and their caregivers.  Back in 2012, they were proud enough of their buildings past history as a home for Confederate widows and wives, that they requested a Texas Historical Commission marker.

This was co-sponsored by the Descendants of Confederate Veterans and the Texas Division of  the Children of the Confederacy.

But now, AGE has asked the commission to remove the marker. And, in the meantime, they have covered it up with the plastic bag and they have a sign on it reading:

"Change is overdue and we are committed to being a part of the solution.  Our aging community in Central Texas, and those caring for older adults, span every socioeconomic background, race, ethnic group, age and gender.

Older adults represent  the most diverse cohort  in our country, and should have the right to age with grace and dignity that every human life deserves, no matter the color of their skin."

--Old Secesh

About That Confederate Woman's Home in Texas-- Part 2: Too Take Care of Indigent Confederate Widows and Wives

 "The Confederate Men's Home began in Austin  in 1884 and the Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter #105 of the Texas Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) made visits, brought gifts, food and clothing to the veterans .  Under the leadership of President Katie  Daffan, the Texas UDC began coordination and fundraising to  secure a home for needy Confederate wives and widows through dinners, events, concerts and individual donations.

The Texas UDC  purchased property and constructed a Richardson  Romanesque revival style structure.  In addition to several bedrooms and bathrooms, the home featured a parlor, a dining area and a hospital.  UDC chapters from all over the state donated furnishings for the home.

Due to the cost to maintain the home, the UDC transferred the home to the State of Texas on Dec. 23, 1911.  An annex was built that doubled the size and increased the capacity and a hospital was erected in 1916.  The state legislature established the Board of Control to operate the home in 1920.

And then in 19, responsibility transferred to the Board for Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools.

This home provided  for more than 3,400 indigent wives and widows of Confederate veterans and operated  until 1963 when the last residents were transferred to private nursing homes."

So, Does This Historical Marker Sound A Lot Like White Supremacist To You?  But, WAIT!!  --Old Secesh

About That Confederate Woman's Home in Texas-- Part 1: Confederadication Again

 From the September 3, 2020, Austin (Texas) Statesman "Herman:  Battle brewing over  marker at former Confederate Woman's Home, Opinion" by Ken Herman.

These days nothing having to do with the former Confederacy is safe from efforts of Confederadication.  And that even stretches to homes built to aide Confederate widows in need.  One such home was built in Austin, Texas.  A historical marker was erected at the site which gave its history.  But now that marker has been covered up and the owners want it changed to reflect how bad the Confederacy was or removed altogether.

The marker was put up by the Texas Historical Commission at the request of the owners at the former Confederate Woman's Home at 3710 Cedar Street in Austin.

This is what the offending sign said:

"TEXAS CONFEDERATE WOMAN'S HOME

 The Texas Confederate Woman's Home opened  in 1908 and provided  a home for over 3,000 wives and widows of former Confederate veterans.  Potential  residents were wives,  or widows of honorably discharged Confederate soldiers, women  who could prove active participation  in the Confederate war effort, and women over 60 years of age or older without a means of support.

More.  --Old Secesh