Kingsville in Kleberg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kingsville Cotton Mill
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022
1. Kingsville Cotton Mill Marker
Inscription.
Kingsville Cotton Mill. . Promotional efforts by William D. McNeill (1860-1925) of North Carolina resulted in construction of the Kingsville Cotton Mill on this site in 1921. Interested citizens supported the project with an investment of $150,000. Production began on Feb. 22, 1922, with McNeill's son-in-law, David H. Jones (1876-1964), as superintendent of the mill. Using locally-grown cotton, the plant produced yarn which was shipped to the north and east for manufacturing carpets. Closed in 1924 because of low profits, the factory was leased and reopened the same year by San Antonio Cotton Mill. The new management made Ford Model-T transmission and brake band linings and later packaging twine. During peak production, the mill processed 264 pounds of cotton an hour and employed 250 workers, greatly contributing to the economy of the town., The San Antonio Cotton Mill ended its operation in 1935. Paul Danforth (1886-1949) leased the building during World War II (1941-45) to make cotton twine and khaki belts for military uniforms. At the end of the war, the factory was closed and the machinery sold. The King Ranch acquired the property, converted it into what is now the Alice G. K. Kleberg Elementary School in 1947, and presented it to the community as a gift.
Promotional efforts by William D. McNeill (1860-1925) of North Carolina resulted in construction of the Kingsville Cotton Mill on this site in 1921. Interested citizens supported the project with an investment of $150,000. Production began on Feb. 22, 1922, with McNeill's son-in-law, David H. Jones (1876-1964), as superintendent of the mill. Using locally-grown cotton, the plant produced yarn which was shipped to the north and east for manufacturing carpets. Closed in 1924 because of low profits, the factory was leased and reopened the same year by San Antonio Cotton Mill. The new management made Ford Model-T transmission and brake band linings and later packaging twine. During peak production, the mill processed 264 pounds of cotton an hour and employed 250 workers, greatly contributing to the economy of the town.
The San Antonio Cotton Mill ended its operation in 1935. Paul Danforth (1886-1949) leased the building during World War II (1941-45) to make cotton twine and khaki belts for military uniforms. At the end of the war, the factory was closed and the machinery sold. The King Ranch acquired the property, converted it into what is now the Alice G. K. Kleberg Elementary School in 1947, and presented it to the community as a gift.
Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker
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Number 2954.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1922.
Location. 27° 31.521′ N, 97° 52.056′ W. Marker is in Kingsville, Texas, in Kleberg County. Marker is on North 6th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 North 6th Street, Kingsville TX 78363, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2022, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
