Cemeteries evoke a variety of emotions that can span from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other. On the one hand, they are heartfelt and soulful reminders of the people whose lives touched others; sometimes our own. And on the other hand, their very presence can evoke fear, despair, and even tormented emotion.

Before we continue, it’s important to point out that the tear-jerking ghost town cemetery we’re about to disclose is now located on private property, and any attempts to visit it would be considered trespassing. That being said, the poor house cemetery in Simpson, South Carolina is a story involving much sadness, and set in an era few of us can fully understand.

If you're unfamiliar with the term "poor house," it's absolutely worse than it sounds.
Wikimedia Commons/public domain
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, poor houses were established by some counties in South Carolina as a place where paupers were sent to live. Often, they were elderly or disabled people in the community who simply had nowhere else to turn. Usually a Poor House was accompanied by a Poor House Farm, where the able-bodied worked until they were no longer able.
Around 1830, the Poor House Farm in Simpson in Fairfield County was established on approximately 295 acres.
Google Maps [streetview]
Other than newspaper articles, there seems to be few records available about the Poor House Farm, except that it was eventually closed and then sold at auction in 1945. But the sadness of this work farm ghost town remains — in the only part of the original farm that is still around: the Poor House Cemetery.

Related Stories

This One Of A Kind Water Tour In South Carolina Will Bring Out The Explorer In You

This One Of A Kind Water Tour In South Carolina Will Bring Out The Explorer In You

 A Trip To This Gigantic Farmers Market in South Carolina Will Make Your Weekend Complete

A Trip To This Gigantic Farmers Market in South Carolina Will Make Your Weekend Complete

 The Unusual Zoo In South Carolina That's Fun For The Whole Family

The Unusual Zoo In South Carolina That's Fun For The Whole Family
Much like the typical potter's fields found from the same era, the Poor House Cemetery leaves much to be desired in the way of markers paying tribute to the dearly departed.
findagrave/G Giebner
A recent eyewitness account puts only ONE tombstone in the cemetery. Yet, there are at least 73 people buried here, and likely many more that weren't recorded.
Although markers don't exist, most of the graves are reportedly easily distinguishable by the sunken depressions in the ground.
Flickr/ Mira d'Oubliette
All that remains of the Poor House Farm and the buildings that provided various amenities to the residents of the farm, is one lonely tombstone. In addition, there are a lot of sunken-in depressions where others who died in this Poor House are laid to rest.
In 1945, the 245 acres making up the Poor House Farm were purchased at auction. Although the new owners of the land have given the estate a new name, to the unfortunate souls buried here it will always be The Poor House.
findagrave/G Giebner

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “I don’t want to die in the poor house,” then perhaps now you can relate to how and when that sentiment may have originated. The story of Fairfield County’s Poor House Cemetery is one that evokes fear, despair and even torment as we look back at this era in South Carolina’s history.

Did you know about the poor houses in South Carolina?

The information for this article was gathered from the very detailed research of G. Geibner, a local volunteer working with the Fairfield County Genealogical Society. Discover additional fascinating details about this Poor House Farm and cemetery at this link on FindaGrave.com.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore South Carolina