Stilwell Retirement Residence

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Nestled behind a bustling area of Waco on Laurel Lake Drive stands a facility called Stilwell Retirement Residence, unique among retirement homes in Waco because of its mission to provide for retired teachers. In the words of Henry W. Stilwell, the residence’s namesake, “We need a quality home for quality people in a city of culture and refinement.” 

Henry W. Stilwell, who inspired the vision of Stilwell Retirement Residence, dedicated his life to education. In the decade following his graduation from the University of Texas in 1909 he held a variety of roles, including a teacher in Waxahachie, a summer-school instructor at the University of Texas, a professor of education at the College of Industrial Arts (now Texas Woman’s University), and professor of English at West Texas State Normal College. In 1919 he received his master’s degree from the University of Texas and in 1920 he became school superintendent in Texarkana, where he encouraged local leaders to found Texarkana College. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Stilwell served on various committees working to reorganize school finances and administration in the state of Texas and advocating for teachers. Southwestern University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1943, and he later served as the president of Texarkana College from 1955 to 1959.  One of his dreams was to create retirement homes for teachers throughout the state of Texas so that retired teachers could be assured of a quality place to live in community with other educators at an affordable price, but this dream did not become a reality before his death in 1959.  

A state committee appointed to promote the creation of retirement homes for teachers successfully gained a charter for the Stilwell Memorial Residence in October 1958, and the groundbreaking ceremony occurred four years later. The community opened its doors in 1964, achieving a notable milestone in the fight to provide for retired teachers. It was the first of its kind in the American Southwest, and it remains the only of its kind in the state of Texas. Stilwell Retirement Residence is a non-profit organization, and initially the City of Waco and the Waco School Board offered them tax-free status. However, when a Waco resident in the 1960s refused to pay taxes because Stilwell did not pay taxes, lawsuits advanced to the Supreme Court, which ruled that Stilwell had to pay $106,000 in taxes and fines. This placed Stilwell in a difficult financial situation, given their commitment to providing financial aid to teacher retirees who could not afford to stay there otherwise. However, through extensive fundraising and the support of several teacher organizations, the institution paid their debts and expenses and have continued to provide high quality care and service. 

Stilwell Retirement Residence offers an independent lifestyle to its residents. The facility provides amenities such as cleaning and food services, but residents also have access to a kitchen should they desire to use it. They provide a variety of activities for residents, including game nights, craft workshops, and service opportunities, such as making items to donate to the Red Cross or Veterans Hospital. The facility includes a chapel, an extensive library with large-print books, and a small theater for music performances. Stilwell also has a prime location in a commercial area with stores and restaurants galore, and many residents still have their own cars. While former teachers and their spouses or companions are given priority, retirees of other professions can also stay at Stilwell. 

Stilwell Retirement Residence carries on the legacy of Henry W. Stilwell and his lifelong commitment to education, advocating for better care for teachers. The retirement home is built upon values of community and learning, and the donations of those committed to Stilwell’s mission have buoyed them through financial struggles, allowing multiple generations of retired teachers to benefit from Henry Stilwell’s dream.