Downtown in Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
History of the Grounds
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 21, 2025
1. History of the Grounds Marker
Inscription.
History of the Grounds. . Established in 1910 as the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Company, the Silos Grounds originally served as a cotton mill. For almost a century, the mill purchased cottonseed from local farmers. Extracted the oil for culinary and industrial uses and shipped it around the world. The company survived the Great Depression, the 1953 Tornado, and other hardships, but as the century wore on, the mill struggled to remain open. By the 1990s, the company closed its doors, and the building became vacant. In 2014, Chip and JoAnn purchased the property with a vision to restore this historic site and create a meaningful place that would welcome guests to Waco. Magnolia Market and the Silos grounds opened to the public in 2015.
Established in 1910 as the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Company, the Silos Grounds originally served as a cotton mill. For almost a century, the mill purchased cottonseed from local farmers. Extracted the oil for culinary and industrial uses and shipped it around the world. The company survived the Great Depression, the 1953 Tornado, and other hardships, but as the century wore on, the mill struggled to remain open. By the 1990s, the company closed its doors, and the building became vacant. In 2014, Chip and JoAnn purchased the property with a vision to restore this historic site and create a meaningful place that would welcome guests to Waco. Magnolia Market and the Silos grounds opened to the public in 2015.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 31° 33.177′ N, 97° 7.777′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Webster Avenue and S 6th Street on Webster Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Webster Ave, Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Silos (here, next to this marker); The Grain Barn (a few steps from this marker); Silos Baking Co.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 21, 2025
2. History of the Grounds Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
