Cooke County Poor Farm

As part of a county effort to improve the lives of its rapidly growing population, on April 23, 1880, Cooke County Judge J.P. Hall purchased 100 acres out of the Adam Dozier survey to establish a farm for the county’s indigent citizens. Living quarters were built soon after. Under the direction of overseers contracted by the county, an average of 12 residents managed production of cotton and consumable crops as well as raising livestock including hogs, chickens and cattle. In 1888, necessity dictated the creation of a cemetery. The poor farm site remained active until 1915, when the farm was relocated to a ten-acre tract of land on rice avenue, near Old Denton Road. (2023)