North Crossing in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas Newspapers, C.S.A.
Photographed By Richard Denney, February 12, 2021
1. Texas Newspapers, C.S.A. Marker
This photo shows the marker's new location.
Among privations endured in Texas during the Civil War (1861-65) was the shortage of newspapers, which dwindled from 82 (combined circulation: 100,000) to fewer than 20 by early 1862. Many newspapermen had closed shop and enlisted at once, when the war began. Others were forced to quit for lack of ink and paper, available only through Mexico or the blockaded Gulf Coast. A good pre-war paper had four 5-column pages, but many wartime issues were limited to half a page, printed on bill forms, wallpaper, tissue, straw paper, or brown wrapping paper. State subsidies for paper making resulted in very little production. Citizens made ink substitutes, but in very small quantities.
To get news, editors copied months' old letters or clippings from soldiers or blockade runners. The "Texas Republican" (Marshall) led in coverage, as it had the use of army telegraph items. The "State Gazette" (Austin) kept a pony express rider at the Brenham railhead to bring in Houston papers only 18 hours old. The Houston "Telegraph" had a staffer with the army, and shared with the Galveston "News" the expenses of a courier to and from Virginia--who also carried family and Confederate mail when slipping through Federal lines to cross the Mississippi.
Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 30° 22.68′ N, 97° 44.487′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in North Crossing. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Business Park Drive and Tallwood Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8800 Business Park Drive, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Presbyterian Church of Austin (approx. 1.1 miles away); Balcones Fault Aids Colonization of Texas (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Old Zimmerman Home (approx. 1.9 miles away); Old Quarry Site (approx. 2 miles away); Native Americans at Bull Creek (approx. 2.3 miles away); Walden Mill at Bull Creek (approx. 2.3 miles away); Davis Cemetery (approx. 2.4 miles away); First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Austin (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Also see . . . Texas Press Association. Marker is attached to the Texas Press Association headquarters building. Article from Handbook of Texas provides some history of that association. (Submitted on February 14, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
Photographed By Keith Peterson, November 18, 2007
2. Texas Newspapers, C.S.A. Marker
Photographed By Richard Denney, February 12, 2021
3. Texas Newspapers, C.S.A. Marker
The marker was formerly at 718 West 5th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. That building was demolished and the marker was thought lost, but has recently been tracked to its new location shown here at 8800 Business Park Drive, North Crossing, Austin, Texas.
Photographed By Keith Peterson, November 18, 2007
4. Texas Newspapers, C.S.A. Marker former location
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,354 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on February 13, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on February 13, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on January 19, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 3. submitted on February 13, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on January 19, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
