State Penitentiary C.S.A. and Texas Civil War Manufacturing

Inmates, slaves, free men worked in the penitentiary textile factory, main source of cloth goods for Confederate Southwest. Here "king cotton" and wool became millions of yards of cloth and yarn, osnaburgs, uniforms for state troops, Confederate army, needy families of soldiers, cloth sales supported 300 inmates and Union prisoners of war briefly kept there. As Union blockade tightened, army requests flooded in and family cloth distribution rationed. Later financial difficulties and worn machinery caused production lag. A memorial to the Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963. [back side] Texas Civil War Manufacturing, 1861-65 Heavy military demands-90,000 Texas troops, a 2000 mile coastline-frontier to guard-plus reduced imports, caused a fast expansion of Texas industry. Arms and munitions plants were built, and land grants were used to encourage production. Private industry met the need and produced vital supplies for military and civilians. The Confederate quartermaster formed depots and shops for military goods. Production of salt and "king cotton" was hiked to trade for scarce items. Ladies and societies spun and sewed to outfit soldiers.

State Penitentiary C.S.A. and Texas Civil War Manufacturing is a historical marker in Huntsville, Walker County, dedicated in 1963. It is one of 69 historical markers documented in Walker County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 110 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.7231, -95.5469 near Huntsville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Huntsville "Walls" Unit (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Thomason, John W., House, Site of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and A.F.&A.M. Forrest Lodge No. 19.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5471008473. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.