Near Lovelady in Houston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Houston-Leon County Coal Company
Photographed By James Hulse, August 16, 2020
1. Houston-Leon County Coal Company Marker
The Houston County Coal and Manufacturing Company was formed in 1900 for the purpose of mining lignite. Near this site, a slope mine was opened and a company town named Wooters was established. Company founders were A. H. Wooters, D. A. Nunn, G. Q. King, and Eli Elkins; John LeGory joined as a principal partner in 1906.
The early years of the company were difficult, as a market had to be found for lignite, a substance between peat and bituminous coal. Lignite was sold to power plants, gins and other facilities in East Texas. In 1907 land was purchased in Leon, Limestone and Freestone Counties, and additional mines were established in Evansville in Leon county. To reflect this expansion, the company name was changed to the Houston-Leon County Coal Company.
During its peak years from 1916 to 1925, the company employed about 200 people. The miners represented a diverse mixture of cultures; some were recruited as they arrived on foreign vessels in Galveston.
In 1932 the company was dissolved when natural gas changed the fuel market in Texas, though stockholders maintained diverse real estate holdings in the area. The lignite rights were retained by the owners, many of whom are descendants of the original stockholders.
Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 31° 10.026′ N, 95° 27.895′ W. Marker is near Lovelady, Texas, in Houston County. Marker is on Highway 19, 3 miles north of Highway 1280, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lovelady TX 75851, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Center Hill Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Rockland Cemetery, Church and School (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lovelady Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Rev. Thomas Nelms Mainer (approx. 2.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Town of Lovelady (approx. 3 miles away); C.R. Rich Building (approx. 3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Lovelady (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lovelady.
Photographed By James Hulse, September 26, 2022
2. The view of the Houston-Leon County Coal Company Marker along the highway
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 503 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on September 27, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
