Taft in San Patricio County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Taft Agricultural Industrial Complex

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

1. Taft Agricultural Industrial Complex Marker

Inscription. The Coleman-Fulton Pasture Company laid out the town of Taft on the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad line in 1900. The intention of the company directors was to present Taft and surrounding farms as a model community to attract northern investors. By 1904 a post office and a company commissary had opened near the rail line, and soon other businesses and homes were built nearby. To promote the area's economic possibilities and the ease with which potential farmers and ranchers could market their products, the company planned a large agricultural industrial complex in the center of town. By 1909 they had built a slaughter and packing house, a cold storage facility and ice plant, and a cottonseed oil mill. By 1921, the complex also included two cotton gins, a feed mill, cotton compress, creamery and ice cream factory, and machine shop.

As the company plan came to fruition, settlement and land values increased and the company realized a profit as it began selling off all of its holdings. Once solely a company town, Taft soon became diversified as the company presence gradually disappeared. Some of the industrial complex facilities remained in operation under private ownership until the 1950's.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5189.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 27° 58.772′ N, 97° 23.972′ W. Marker is in Taft, Texas, in San Patricio County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 181 and Packing House Avenue, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 181. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Taft TX 78390, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American

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South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: President William Howard Taft Visits Taft (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coleman-Fulton Pasture Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); Taft American Legion Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Taft (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Taft (approx. half a mile away); Sodville Community (approx. 4.7 miles away); Site of White Point Mass Graves of 1919 Hurricane Victims (approx. 6.3 miles away); Chat Work Club (approx. 7½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Taft.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

2. Taft Agricultural Industrial Complex Marker

Location of Taft Agricultural Industrial Complex Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, February 5, 2015

3. Location of Taft Agricultural Industrial Complex Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,456 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 3. submitted on June 22, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.