Right here, a simple plaque marks a place of profound compassion: Buckner Baptist Children’s Home. This isn’t just a marker. It is a testament to over a century of dedication to children in need.
Buckner Baptist Children’s Home began with Reverend Robert Cooke Buckner. He was a Baptist pastor from Tennessee. Buckner saw a need for dependent and orphaned children. He turned that concern into action.
In 1877, the Baptist Deacons’ Convention agreed to start an orphan’s home. It would begin as soon as $2,000 was raised. Buckner became the fund-raising agent. He collected the first twenty-seven dollars under an oak tree. This happened at a Sunday school convention in Paris, Texas.
Buckner filed the charter for the home on April 9, 1879. In December, Buckner Orphans Home opened in a rented house in Dallas. It started with only three children.
In 1880, Buckner bought a forty-four-acre site for seventeen dollars an acre. The board dedicated the home in a log cabin. By 1881, six children lived in a new residence on the site.
By the turn of the century, the home cared for almost 500 children. In 1914, Buckner asked the Baptist General Convention of Texas to take over. He wanted to secure its future. He served as general manager until his death on April 9, 1919. At that time, about 600 children were in the home.
His two sons then took over leadership. They launched a building campaign. They modernized the campus with twenty fire-proof buildings and paved streets. The junior and senior high schools became accredited in the 1920s. Later, in the 1960s, the children began attending public schools.
In 1948, Buckner expanded its services. It took over a home for unwed mothers in San Antonio. In 1951, it opened Buckner Boys Ranch. In 1953, the first retirement home opened in Dallas.
The institution was rechartered as Buckner Baptist Benevolences in 1961. It was then renamed Buckner Baptist Children’s Home.
Today, Buckner continues to evolve. It addresses critical needs with emergency shelters. It has educational programs for male juvenile delinquents. There is also a substance-abuse aftercare program.
This plaque was placed here in 1983. It marks over 100 years of service. Buckner has been a leader in Texas child care. From humble beginnings to a multifaceted organization, Buckner Baptist Children’s Home has transformed countless lives. It stands as a beacon of hope. It is a symbol of unwavering commitment to children and families.
Now, when you pass by, remember this story. Think of the countless children who found refuge and hope within these walls. This plaque is more than a marker. It is a reminder of the power of compassion and the enduring legacy of Buckner Baptist Children’s Home.