Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Cotton Industry in Shiner

Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2021

1. Cotton Industry in Shiner Marker

Inscription.

Barbed wire, the railroad, and Germans and Czechs desiring to own small family farms combined to make cotton king in Lavaca County. From 1892 to 1971, cotton ginning, the cottonseed oil industry, and cotton export by rail were a vital part of Shiner's economy. August Stephan built the city's first cotton gin in 1892, and the Shiner Oil Mill & Manufacturing Co. began in 1896. The cotton industry peaked in the 1920s with eight cotton gins within the city limits. This site was home to four gins: Edward Fertsch Gin and Mill, August Heinsohn Gin, Rogge Gin Company and Shiner Farmers Co-Operative Gin and Mill in 1971, Buske Gin, the city's longest in operation, ginned the last bale of cotton in Shiner.

Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16325.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 29° 25.67′ N, 97° 10.366′ W. Marker is in Shiner, Texas, in Lavaca County. Marker is on Avenue G, 0 miles north of 5th Street (State Highway 95), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located in front of the building by the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 Avenue G, Shiner TX 77984, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. First National Bank of Shiner (approx. 0.2 miles away); Masonic Lodge Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shiner (approx. ¼ mile away); Scrap Iron Drive (approx. ¼ mile away); Shiner Opera House (approx. ¼ mile away); Sunken Garden Dance Platform (approx. 0.3 miles away); Shiner, Texas (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bluecher Park and Dance Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiner.

Also see . . . Cotton Culture.

Cotton was first grown in Texas by Spanish missionaries. A report of the missions at San Antonio in 1745 indicates that several thousand pounds of cotton were produced annually, then spun and woven by mission craftsmen. Cotton cultivation was begun by Anglo-American colonists in 1821. In 1849 a census of the cotton production of the state reported 58,073 bales (500 pounds each). In 1852 Texas was in eighth place among the top ten cotton-producing states of the nation. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on August 11, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2021

2. Cotton Industry in Shiner Marker

The view of the Cotton Industry in Shiner Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2021

3. The view of the Cotton Industry in Shiner Marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.