De Leon in Comanche County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
De Leon Peanut Company
Cotton was the major cash crop for farmers in Comanche County until the early 20th century. The combined effects of disastrous weather conditions in 1908-09, a national economic downturn, and a major infestation of the Mexican Boll Weevil in 1914 caused many Comanche County farmers to abandon th decades-long reliance on cotton and turn to the more lucrative prospect of peanut farming.
Because shipping peanuts to Fort Worth for processing reduced local farmers profits, N.T. Haskins organized the De Leon Peanut Company in 1912. Its first board of directors included R.W. Higginbotham, W.H. Williams, B.T. Higginbotham, Jr., J.B. Wilson, A.E. Hampton, and W.E. Lowe. By 1914, peanuts were the leading cash crop in the county, and the company enlarged its operations to meet growing demand. A six-story main building was completed in 1917; soon the plant was processing up to ten railroad carloads of peanuts per day.
The business survived an economic crisis in the 1920s and remained a strong force in the local community, which has been called the Peanut Capital of the World." Acquired by a national company in 1967, the De Leon Peanut Company has played a vital role in Comanche County history.
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1187.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 32° 6.645′ N, 98° 32.177′ W. Marker is in De Leon, Texas, in Comanche County. Marker is at the intersection of North Texas Street (State Highway 16) and West LaSalle Street, on the left when traveling south on North Texas Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: De Leon TX 76444, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Texas Central Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Frances Marie Sparks Brown (approx. ¾ mile away); Zion Hill Baptist Church (approx. 9.7 miles away); Site of Old Gill Farm (approx. 10.1 miles away); Desdemona Cemetery (approx. 10½ miles away); Dr. David Verle Rodgers (approx. 10.9 miles away); Site of Blackwell Hospital (approx. 10.9 miles away); Fort Blair, C.S.A. (approx. 10.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Leon.
Also see . . . Peanut Culture. Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.