Abilene State School Cemetery Vandalized

ABILENE, TX — The cemetery at the Abilene State Supported Living Center was vandalized by vehicle over the weekend. Abilene police released photos that displayed fallen headstones from the cemetery dating back to the turn of the 20^th Century.

The cemetery is part of the historic Abilene State School, renamed over the years, but established there in the late 1800s as an epilepsy colony. The original buildings there were constructed with money from the Texas Legislature who agreed that Abilene was “by far the most suitable for asylum purposes.” The colony opened in 1904 with grand, three-story buildings. They were the nicest buildings except for those in the state capitol, according to reports at the time.

Over the years, the mission changed from treating not just epilepsy, but mental disorders. In the 1960s, the mission was expanded to rehabilitation and “putting patients on the road to recovery.”

In the cemetery are the gravesites of many past patients of the School.

Abilene police said the vandalism occurred between Oct. 20 and 22. “The driver of a vehicle went through the fence, over several headstones, and exited the cemetery by plowing through trees and a barbed wire fence,” police said.

Abilene Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips of the whereabouts of the vandals. Call them at (325) 676-8477.