Pythian Home History

 The Texas  Pythian Home opened on March 1, 1909, as a home for widows and orphans  of Knights of Pythias members. The Pythians made the decision to build  the Home in Weatherford, Texas, due to the amount of land given as well  as the support of the community. Three hundred acres were donated to the  Pythians to build the castle-like structure.  

The  main building housed orphaned children on the second floor. The  basement was divided into apartments for widows with children.  The  administrative staff had their offices on the first floor. There were  soon so many boys that it became necessary to build a boys only dorm. In  1914 all of the boys were moved into their new dorm and the orphaned  girls moved to the basement. A girl’s only dorm was built in 1925. In  the early 70’s widows no longer lived at the Pythian Home due to the  completion of a retirement home for aged Pythians in Greenville, Texas.

The  Pythian Home School was designated an independent school district on  August 1, 1910, and continued until 1972. In 1937, the last High School  graduating class walked across the Pythian auditorium stage. The  decision was made to send grades 6-12 grade to Weatherford Independent  School District. The 1st through 5th grades continued to have classes at  the Pythian Home until 1972.

The  Home had a large dairy operation for many years. Animals were raised to  provide meat for the residents. The Home also had a huge garden and  orchard. The staff and children living at the Home kept busy maintaining  all of the operations. The extra produce that the Home grew was sold  and provided substantial regular income. Government regulations changed  in 1972 limiting the work of the children, so many of these operations  changed. The dairy was closed in 1976 due to more government  regulations. We continue to raise a small amount of beef for occasional  income and meat for our freezer.

There  were hard times through the years. Land was sold to various developers.  Interstate 20 was built through the south end of the Pythian Home land.  We now have approximately 164 acres. 

Staff  to child ratios has changed through the years also. At one time, one  little matron could be responsible for 30 to 35 children. Our ratio is  now eight children to one adult. Children under the age of five have the  ratio of four children to one adult. The dormitory is no longer filled  with beds lining the walls. There is sixty square feet of bedroom space  per child. The “Castle on the Hill” is now a home, not an institution.

The  Pythian principles of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence continue to  be the driving force behind the organization that supports the Home.  Pythians who see the needs of others and reach out to meet those needs  are the reason the Home is here.