Ben Wheeler in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Cane Syrup Production in Van Zandt County
Willis Jarrell Hale was the first farmer to gain notoriety for producing syrup in Van Zandt County. In 1884, Hale started farming and growing ribbon cane on what became known as the Hale Farm which was located two and a half miles east of Canton. Hale developed the land so that he could irrigate the cane using the flood method from a large spring on the property, frequently making 600 gallons of syrup to the acre. Hale Farm Syrup developed a reputation for superior quality all over Texas as well as nationally. Hale produced this famous syrup for 23 years.
Henry D. Jones acquired the farm in 1915 from Metza Hale, son of W.J., and carried on the tradition of syrup making. Jones managed to expand the operation and create publicity over the next 45 years. He built a modern syrup mill with a gasoline engine and was farming 20 acres of ribbon cane. The sale of his Hale Farm Syrup reached from Missouri to California, as well as all over the State of Texas. The Hale Farm employed many members of the Van Zandt community during the Great Depression. Demand for ribbon cane syrup declined after WWII, but production continued until 1960. The ownership of the land still remains in the Jones Family.
Erected 2014 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17956.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 32° 26.723′ N, 95° 42.212′ W. Marker is in Ben Wheeler, Texas, in Van Zandt County. Marker is on Farm to Market Road 858, 0.1 miles east of Farm to Market Road 279, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in downtown Ben Wheeler at the syrup mill on Hwy 858 one block east of Hwy 279. Next to the Pine Ridge Schoolhouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ben Wheeler TX 75754, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alamo Institute (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ben Wheeler Community (about 300 feet away); Morgan G. Sanders (about 300 feet away); Battle of the Neches (approx. 4.8 miles away); The Free State of Van Zandt (approx. 4.9 miles away); Brady P. Gentry (approx. 4.9 miles away); Asbury Cemetery (approx. 6.4 miles away); Adren Anglin (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ben Wheeler.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.