Edom in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, February 16, 2026

1. Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin Marker

Inscription. As was the case in so many small Texas towns in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the cotton gin in Edom was a major element in the economy. First opened at this site in 1918 by Ro Dike, who moved his ginning operation here from Davidson (3 mi. W), the gin was owned and operated by local merchant C.W. Morris beginning in 1924. For approximately 4 months in late summer and early fall, most activities revolved around ginning. Some 700 to 800 farmers depended on the local cotton gin. In peak season the gin was known to operate 24 hours a day. The original Continental Gin Company machinery burned in 1929 and was replaced with modern diesel-powered equipment manufactured by the Murray Gin Company. During the 1930s the gin processed an average of 3 to 4 bales of cotton per hour. The gin shut down about 1946.

Erected 1999. (Marker Number 12261.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 32° 22.358′ N, 95° 36.405′ W. Marker is in Edom, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on

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Farm to Market Road 279, on the left when traveling west. About 200 yards East of FM 314. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ben Wheeler TX 75754, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Edom Methodist Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church of Edom (about 800 feet away); Potters Brown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edom (approx. ¼ mile away); Tyler-Porter's Bluff Road (approx. half a mile away); Frontier Red Hill Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away); Primrose-Sexton Community (approx. 4.2 miles away); Asbury Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edom.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, February 28, 2010

2. Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin Marker

Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, February 28, 2010

3. Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin

It appears the gin is in ruins.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, February 16, 2026

4. Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,915 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 4. submitted on February 20, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.