San Marcos in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Thompson's Island Homeplace
Photographed By James Hulse, October 14, 2022
1. Thompson's Island Homeplace Marker
Inscription.
Thompson's Island Homeplace. . Dr. William Alexander Thompson (1803-1879) made an agreement with neighbors in 1850 to use the San Marcos River for irrigation and as a source of energy. He and his sons William A. and James used slave labor to build a gristmill, sawmill and cotton gin. The land masses formed by digging a ditch for the waterwheel and a sluiceway from the river were called "Thompson Islands". The Thompsons directed the business until 1911 when John Matthew Cape (1861-1933) bought the mill. The use of electricity in 1942 ended the mill's need for water power.
Dr. William Alexander Thompson (1803-1879) made an agreement with neighbors in 1850 to use the San Marcos River for irrigation and as a source of energy. He and his sons William A. and James used slave labor to build a gristmill, sawmill and cotton gin. The land masses formed by digging a ditch for the waterwheel and a sluiceway from the river were called "Thompson Islands". The Thompsons directed the business until 1911 when John Matthew Cape (1861-1933) bought the mill. The use of electricity in 1942 ended the mill's need for water power.
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10332.)
Location. 29° 52.264′ N, 97° 55.669′ W. Marker is in San Marcos, Texas, in Hays County. Marker is at the intersection of Conway Drive and River Road, on the left when traveling west on Conway Drive. The marker is located north of the home near Conway Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Conway Drive, San Marcos TX 78666, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Thompson's Islands (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rio Vista Dam
3. The view of the Thompson's Island Homeplace Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
