Near Mingus in Erath County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Thurber Brick Plant
Photographed By Duane Hall, January 22, 2018
1. Site of Thurber Brick Plant Marker
Inscription.
Site of Thurber Brick Plant. . Texas and Pacific Coal Company general manager W.K. Gordon, seeing potential in the shale mud found in Thurber, persuaded company president R.D. Hunter to build a brick plant here in 1897. Original machinery included three Ross-Keller brick presses powered by a Corliss team engine nicknamed “Old Hunter.” The operation covered five acres and employed 800 men. Brick manufactured here was used to pave roads throughout Texas, including Old Bankhead Highway (US 80), Austin’s Congress Avenue, Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie Boulevard, and the Galveston sea wall. The plant closed in 1931.
Texas and Pacific Coal Company general manager W.K. Gordon, seeing potential in the shale mud found in Thurber, persuaded company president R.D. Hunter to build a brick plant here in 1897. Original machinery included three Ross-Keller brick presses powered by a Corliss team engine nicknamed “Old Hunter.” The operation covered five acres and employed 800 men. Brick manufactured here was used to pave roads throughout Texas, including Old Bankhead Highway (US 80), Austin’s Congress Avenue, Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie Boulevard, and the Galveston sea wall. The plant closed in 1931.
Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4901.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 32° 30.291′ N, 98° 24.883′ W. Marker is near Mingus, Texas, in Erath County. Marker is at the intersection of Interstate 20 Frontage Road and County Road 107, on the right when traveling east on Interstate 20. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mingus TX 76463, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Thurber, TX. A website on the history of Thurber. (Submitted on February 4, 2018.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, January 22, 2018
2. Markers in Front of W.K. Gordon Center
Photographed By Duane Hall, January 22, 2018
3. Fragment of Original Wall of Thurber Brick Plant
Located next to parking lot of W.K. Gordon Center
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2018, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2018, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
