TDCJ/State School for Boys

By painting the emblem and guard tower, an effort was made to honor the men and women of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice here in Gatesville. They are the true unsung heroes of law enforcement and are very much loved and respected in our county. The guard in the watch tower fussed when his picture was taken and he informed us that we had to have permission to do so. He gave a number to call. We did. The warden granted permission, and the tower is on the mural. The guard was very respectful and pleasant, but he is not in the painting.

The Gatesville State School for Boys was created in 1889 to hold 68 boys who were being housed in adult facilities. Over the years, the population grew to include orphans who had committed no crimes, but were simply sent to Gatesville because local municipalities had nowhere else to send them.

There is a small cemetery with a number of children, some who died of illness, some at the hands of gangs in the facility, and several from abuse by the guards.

In 1970, Judge William Wayne Justice ordered the facility closed because of its cruel and inhumane punishments.