U.S.S. Aulick
On September 9, 1940, a federal contract worth $82 million was issued to the Consolidated Steel Company to construct 12 Fletcher class naval destroyers here in Orange, Texas. This and other contracts coupled with the subsequent building of major shipyard facilities along the city's riverfront lifted the city out of a prolonged and deep economic decline which began in the early 1930s with the closing of area sawmills.
The community celebrated the laying of the keels of the U. S. S. Aulick and U. S. S. Charles Ausburne on May 14, 1941. The Aulick became the first naval destroyer to be built in Texas and on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1942, it was christened and launched amid a crowd of 6,000 people. The Aulick represented the second U. S. Naval warship to be named after War of 1812 Navy veteran John H. Aulick (1787-1861).
By 1946 all 12 destroyers and over four hundred other ships had been completed here at a cost of over $876 million. Orange's well-developed shipyards encouraged major companies to build plants along the riverfront. Several petrochemical and industrial concerns followed suit in the 1950s and 1960s. Wartime shipyards operated by Consolidated, Levingston, and Weaver converted to peacetime activities.
Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 30° 5.661′ N, 93° 43.575′ W. Marker is in Orange, Texas, in Orange County. It is on Simmons Drive (Business U.S. 90) near West Elm Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orange TX 77630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle. It is also in the American South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Weaver Shipbuilding (here, next to this marker); Riverside Addition: World War II Housing in Orange (here, next to this marker); Levingston Shipbuilding Company (here, next to this marker); Office of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding and Consolidated Steel Corporation (here, next to this marker); United States Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (here, next to this marker); The Neyland-Gilmer House (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Orange Leader (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Harmon (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.
More about this marker. Located at the terminus of West Elm Avenue
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2018. 4. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
