Jefferson in Marion County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Texas Artificial Gas Plant
(5 blocks east)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014
1. First Texas Artificial Gas Plant Marker
Jefferson Gas Light Company, chartered 1870 for public and domestic service, used retorts--7 foot iron drums with small necks--to make illuminating gas. (One retort stood on this site.) Loaded with pine knots and rich pine wood, a retort was heated; its gas was forced into mains by use of a pressure drum.
Street lights on hollow posts, 300 feet apart, were 10-candle glass globes, lighted by a man on a ladder. These and gaslights in houses gave Jefferson--then largest inland port and second largest city in Texas--the state's first gaslight system.
Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8036.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 32° 45.373′ N, 94° 20.828′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Texas, in Marion County. Marker is at the intersection of West Lafayette Street and North Market Street, on the right when traveling west on West Lafayette Street. The marker is located outside the Jefferson Carnegie Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 West Lafayette Street, Jefferson TX 75657, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jefferson Public Library (a few steps from this marker); Sterne Fountain (within shouting
this page online
Regarding First Texas Artificial Gas Plant. Manufactured gas should not be confused with natural gas, the primary fuel gas of our day. Manufactured, or artificial gas, was produced through the distillation of bituminous coal in heated, anaerobic vessels called retorts. In this process, coal was broken down into its volatile components through the action of heat in a nearly oxygen-free environment. From the retort, the gases were drawn off into a device known as the hydraulic main. The gas was distributed via street mains to the consumer.
Also see . . .
1. Jefferson, Texas. Texas State Historical Association website entry:
After the war the town's economy recovered
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014
2. First Texas Artificial Gas Plant Marker (view showing top of iron retort below marker)
2. History and Chronology of Manufactured Gas. Former Manufactured Gas Plants website entry
A steady demand for manufactured gas led to expanded street and commercial lighting in America's major eastern cities in the quarter century leading to our Centennial. By 1850 towns along and bordering the west bank of the Mississippi River were sprouting gas works. The clamor for Centennial improvements led to installation of gas works at most towns of 10,000 or more residents. (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014
3. First Texas Artificial Gas Plant Marker (wide view showing street light & retort near marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2014
4. Iron Retorts (located at the Excelsior House, 3 blocks from marker)
For gas street lights 1871
gas distillation from pine knots
illuminating power 10 burning candles
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 305 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
