Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas and the Civil War State Military Board
Photographed by Keith Peterson, September 30, 2007
1. Texas and the Civil War State Military Board Marker
The only new agency created by the legislature to deal with wartime emergencies. Original members were the Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer. The last two in 1864 were replaced by appointees of the Governor.
Purpose was to establish industry and purchase essential military and civilian supplies. Texas was largely dependent on imports for factory goods, so the board had to sustain foreign trade. Despite a Federal coastal blockade, this was done through neutral Mexico and by use of swift blockade runners.
The board sold and exchanged state bonds, U.S. indemnity bonds and cotton – which had a ready cash and exchange value abroad – for guns, powder, copper, lead, hats, boots, shoes, clothing, cloth, rope, blankets, cotton cards and machinery to start local industry. Agents of the board operated in Mexico and Europe.
A percussion cap factory and a state foundry for cannon were built, by contracts, land grants and cash. Private enterprise was aided and encouraged to manufacture rifles, pistols and gunpowder.
Lack of funds, poor transportation, competition for cotton and other wartime difficulties hampered effectiveness, but the board did much to make Texas “The storehouse of the Confederacy”.
Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 12696.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 30° 16.218′ N, 97° 44.577′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It is on West 8th Street west of Congress Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is front of the City of Austin Municipal Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 W 8th Street, Austin TX 78701, United States of America.
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas. It is also in the American South. 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: First Capitol in Austin (a few steps from this marker); Openheimer-Montgomery Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Townsend-Thompson Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johns-Hamilton Building (about 300 feet away); Swedish Consulate and Swante Palm Library (about 300 feet away); Leland D. Anderson, 26 (about 300 feet away); Edward Tips Building (about 300 feet away); Steiner Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Photographed by Richard Denney
2. Texas and the Civil War State Military Board Marker
Photo shows wider shot of marker that was recently refinished.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,214 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on May 15, 2020, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on January 17, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on May 19, 2020, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
