Remembering the Harris County Poor Farm

Join historian and author Richard Cunningham online Tuesday evening, August 1, for a look at a little-known chapter in Houston’s history: the Harris County Poor Farm.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Harris County housed disadvantaged elderly and disabled people at the Poor Farm. A few dozen residents lived and worked on the 200-acre tract off Bissonnet Street in what was then the open countryside southwest of Houston. The Poor Farm operated at the site until 1922; the acreage was later developed as Southside Place and part of West University Place. Today, Poor Farm Ditch — which once ran alongside the property — is one of the only reminders that the county farm was once located in the area.

Cunningham’s illustrated talk will look at the history and origins of the Poor Farm, the people who lived there, and the story of what became of the farm property. A Q&A will follow his presentation.

Photo: Residents of the Harris County Poor Farm / Harris County Archives

Event format

This program will be presented via Zoom. Registrants will receive additional information, including a link to join the program, via e-mail.

Registration and pricing

Access to this program is free for members of Preservation Houston and Pier & Beam. Registration is $10 for non-members. Advance registration is required; sign up online by 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 1.

Can’t join us live? No problem

We will make a recording of the full program available to all registrants, so you can watch at a time that’s most convenient for you.

This event is presented as part of the Bart Truxillo Program Series, which honors the memory of pioneer preservationist and Preservation Houston co-founder Bart Truxillo. The Truxillo Program Series is made possible by the generous contributions of Preservation Houston’s members and friends. If you would like to support future programming, please consider adding a donation to your registration or becoming a PH member.