The Freeman Center is a plot of land between
San Marcos
San Marcos is the Spanish name of Saint Mark. It may also refer to:
Towns and cities Argentina
* San Marcos, Salta
Colombia
* San Marcos, Antioquia
* San Marcos, Sucre
Costa Rica
* San Marcos, Costa Rica (aka San Marcos de Tarrazú)
...
and
Wimberley, Texas
Wimberley is a village in Hays County, Texas, United States. It is still predominantly a ranching area outside of town. The population was 2,839 at the 2020 census.
History
Wimberley started as a trading post settlement near Cypress Creek in ...
. It was founded in 1941 by weekend ranchers Harold M. "Harry" Freeman and his brother Joe.
The Freeman Center houses the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center's
body farm, where the deceased are used to study the various stages of body decomposition and their effects on the soil.
History
Freeman Brothers
Harold M. "Harry" Freeman and Joe Freeman, brothers who made their living dealing in oil, cotton, Chevrolet dealerships, and ranchland, bought the land from Mr. E.J. Jameyson in 1941 and continued to add several parcels over the years. The two brothers would utilize the land for weekend getaways which included: hunting, hiking, and iconic poker games. Per perpetual trust, Harold Freeman bequeathed 3,485 acres of ranchland to Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) for farming, ranching, game management, educational, and experimental purposes. Joe Freeman's land, located adjacent to the university's site, was eventually managed by Frost National Bank.
Research
Researchers conduct experiments and studies at the center, including
forensic anthropology
Forensic anthropology is the application of the anatomical science of anthropology and its various subfields, including forensic archaeology and forensic taphonomy, in a legal setting. A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification o ...
.
Facilities
Since 2008, it has been the site of the 26-acre
Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) is a 26-acre forensic anthropology research facility located on the Freeman Ranch in San Marcos, Texas. It is one of the seven extant body farms in the United States and the largest such foren ...
.
References
External links
Freeman Ranch
Buildings and structures in Hays County, Texas
Ranches in Texas
1941 establishments in Texas
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