HARRISON COUNTY HOME and FARM CEMETERY, HARRISON COUNTY, MO

As was the case with most counties during the 1800s, Harrison County operated a "County Poor Farm", which was also known as the "asylum" through the late 1800s. It was closed in 1902 when the new County Home was built just west of Bethany. The old County Poor Farm was located approximately three miles south of Ridgeway on blacktop T. In 1902, Harrison County opened a new, more modern facility just across the Big Creek Bridge on west Main Street, just outside the city limits of Bethany. As was also the case with other facilities of this nature at the time, the County Farm (as it was known) was used to house a wide range of individuals including the poor, homeless, the mentally ill and others who were made a ward of the county. This facility was in operation until about 1960.

The two facilities had adjacent cemeteries. Unfortunately, the records from the old "Poor Farm" were transfered to the new "County Farm" in 1902, and burial records were later mixed together. As a rule, any burials before 1902 would be at the old facility near Ridgeway. After 1902, they were most likely buried at the new County Farm near Bethany. Neither cemetery now exists. Only one grave... that of William Loy...was ever marked by an actual tombstone. Most were marked at the time by a pile of rocks or a board. These are long gone. Both areas are now cultivated fields. It should also be noted that records indicate approximately 55 burials at the County Farm west of Bethany. The number of burials near Ridgeway is unknown. The following list contains 90 names. The bodies of some individuals were claimed by relatives and friends and buried elsewhere. These individuals (when known) have not been listed here. Others identified may in fact be buried elsewhere. Those with little or no information, other than "Died at County Farm" may be buried elsewhere, but this could not be confirmed.