Willis in Montgomery County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Willis Cigar Factory

Photographed by Brian Anderson, December 15, 2018

1. Site of Willis Cigar Factory Marker

Inscription. Following the Civil War, area farmers found the climate and soil conditions of Montgomery County were ideal for the production of tobacco. The varieties grown here were of the highest quality, winning international awards in Chicago and Paris. At the height of local tobacco production, there were eight cigar operations in Willis. One, the Willis Cigar Factory, was located at this site. Founded by Kentucky native Capt. Thomas Wesley Smith (1829-1901), a Civil War veteran and former sheriff, it remained in operation until the early 1900s.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986

Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7909.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 30° 25.576′ N, 95° 28.768′ W. Marker is in Willis, Texas, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of North Bell Street and Waverly Street, on the left when traveling north on North Bell Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Bell Street, Willis TX 77378, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also on the American Gulf Coast.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willis (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Willis Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Willis Male and Female College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Chapel United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of former town of Danville (approx. 4.4 miles away); The Grogan-Cochran House (approx. 7.3 miles away); Tobacco Trough (approx. 7.3 miles away); Saw Mills (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willis.

Also see . . . Willis Cigar Factory - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on December 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, December 15, 2018

2. Site of Willis Cigar Factory Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,176 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.