Sugar Land in Fort Bend County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas Prison System Central State Farm Main Building
Despite harsh living conditions at such farm camps around Texas, the leasing program continued until the 1910s. The plantation and mill operation at this site were bought in 1907 by the Imperial Sugar Company; the state bought the plantation in 1908 and renamed it Imperial State Prison Farm. The Texas Legislature agreed in the late 1920s to economic reform measures that initiated prison industrial operations, led to the classification of convicts based on rehabilitative theory and improved convict living conditions. In 1930, construction on the Central State Prison Farm facilities began at this site.
The Austin firm of Gieseke and Harris designed the new buildings; Bertram Gieseke's father, noted architecture professor F.E. Gieseke, served as a consultant on materials and techniques, which centered on poured, reinforced concrete technology. The main building, comprised of administrative offices and dormitories, was completed in 1932 as the first modernized structure in the Texas prison system. The Art Moderne design features stepped pilasters, chamfered corners, a square tower with pyramidal roof, and metal casement windows. Today, it stands as a reminder of 20th-century prison reforms.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2003.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12990.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Government & Politics • Notable Buildings.
Location. 29° 36.54′ N, 95° 39.625′ W. Marker is in Sugar Land, Texas, in Fort Bend County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 90A and Midway Drive, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 90A. On right-hand side of driveway near red brick entrance wall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sugar Land TX 77478, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Imperial Prison Farm Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sugar Land Refinery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sugar Land High School World War II Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); In Honor of Lonnie Green (approx. 2 miles away); Sugar Land Independent School District No. 17 (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hodge's Bend Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away); Sugar Land First United Methodist Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Paschal Paolo Borden (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sugar Land.
Regarding Texas Prison System Central State Farm Main Building. Sometimes prisoners can still be seen working the fields, supervised by prison guards on horseback.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,285 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.