In Recognition Of The Families Who Settled This Land
Our Land - Our Heritage
1894 - 1942
Dedicated to those who
sacrificed their land and
heritage when Camp Fannin
displaced a number of families
from their original homesteads.
Placed in remembrance and
acknowledgement of their loss.
March 1998
Donated by the Walsh Family
(Lower Plaque)
In Recognition Of The Families Who Settled This Land
1894 — 1942
In 1942, the War Assets Administration purchased or acquired through adverse possession, 3072 acres of land to establish the Tyler Air Force Replacement Training Center. The landowners, who were paid as little as $25 per acre, even though replacement land was selling for much higher price, took legal action to get a fairer price and to guarantee the land would be returned to them after the war. The courts denied their appeals. The land became the heart of Camp Fannin, U.S. Army Infantry replacement Training Center, after the government changed the scope of its original plans. More than 250,000 soldiers were trained here from May 1943 to December 1945 and in 1946, Camp Fannin was deactivated. In 1948, the War Assets Administration declared the purchased land was a disposable "war asset" and deeded 2,369 acres to the State of Texas. This included the 1,000-bed Camp Fannin Station Hospital. In 1949, the hospital reopened as the East Texas Tuberculosis Sanatorium.
In 1958, the State returned 1,691 acres to the U.S. Government, retaining 614 acres for the East Texas Tuberculosis Hospital. The surplus land was auctioned in 1959 and was purchased by Tyler businessmen and the Owen Development Company which established the community of Owentown.
In 1977, the Texas Legislature transferred the East Texas Chest Hospital to The University of Texas System who renamed it The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler.
Since the end of World War II, the families who lost their land and an important part of their heritage have sought acknowledgment of their sacrifice. This memorial is dedicated to them. It is located on the original homestead of William P. and Mary Walsh, who purchased their land in 1894. They raised seven children and seven grandchildren on their farm prior to 1942.
The stone memorial was donated by the Walsh family in honor of the descendants of William P. Walsh, R.L. Cashion, Mrs. L.M. Cashion, John G. Zorn, W.T. Nolan, Bess Olive, G.E. Olive and Tully C. Jarvis, who owned part of the 614 acres occupied by the UT Health Center and of the families of the remaining landowners including: M.G. Desmond, T.E. Wiggins, Eliza Osborne Miller, Mrs. H.H. Lytle, G.W. Jacobs, and T. Hale. Winona Consolidated Common School District, Center Methodist Episcopal Church, and Houston Oil Company also owned land within this area.
This memorial is intended to serve as a permanent tribute to those farming families who gave up a part of their heritage with the loss of their land. It is not intended to overshadow the great achievements of The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler. It is placed as a reminder of the sacrifice these landowners were forced to make during the War. The UT Health Center appreciates the support of the Walsh family in making this memorial possible and apologizes if any family names have been omitted.
Dedicated March 29, 1998
Comments 0 comments