This cemetery was established between June 21 and December 20 in 1900. [Census of Co. Alms House on June 21, 1900, Ozark Township & Lawrence County Missouri Bible and Other Records - Lawrence County Historical Society, p.86. List Of County Farm Inmates - One mile south of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Adam Garinger, Superintendent. From the Fountain & Journal, December 20, 1900]
It was also referred to as "Potter's Field Co. Farm" on the death certificate of Caroline Lofton in 1910.

This old cemetery was located in the center of Section 6, Township 27, Range 26, about 1/4 mile west of the newer cemetery on the old County Farm property. The foreman of the Melton Charolis Ranch says it was about 3/4 to 1 acre of land, with an estimated 50 to 100 burials. The graves were marked with a hedge stake or iron pin, with no names or markers. The present property owners had driven the pins and stakes to ground level in order to mow. Farm machinery was parked on the site in March 1973. The County Farm was established here in 1900, and this site was presumably used until about 1930, when the newer graveyard was established. Cemetery information provided by Fred G. Mieswinkel. [Lawrence County Tombstone Inscriptions, Volume Two. Mount Vernon and Hoberg Townships. Lawrence County Historical Society.]

On the 1910 census, the "Lawrence County Almshouse" is enumerated in South Mt. Vernon Twp. with John S. Seamans the "Manager-County Farm," and 21 "Inmates" listed.

On the 1920 census, the "Lawrence Co. Almshouse" is again enumerated in South Mt. Vernon Twp. Charley Literal is the "Farm Operator-Poor Farm" and his wife Jennie is "laborer-Poor Farm." There are 24 "Inmates" listed.

On the 1930 census, the "Lawrence County Alms House" in Mt. Vernon Twp. is under the management of Hyson Wise, "Superintendent-Farm Institution" and there are 21 "Inmates."