Site of Ezell-McLeroy Cotton Gin - Alvarado, Texas - Mills and Gins on Waymarking.com

Historical marker states

John Ezell (1857-1933) and his family moved from Alabama to Texas in 1867 and settled on a farm near here. The growth of cotton crops increased in Johnson County by the 1890s, and the need for more cotton gins became acute. In 1896 Ezell built a cotton gin on his land located halfway between the communities of Alvarado and Cahill; it became a major business in rural Johnson County. Although the cotton gin with its wooden siding was destroyed in an 1899 fire, Ezell rebuilt before the 1900 season began and installed new equipment. Cotton production continued to expand in the area and Ezell became a successful gin owner and farmer. J. Otto McLeroy, Sr. (1883-1966) took over operations at the gin in 1917, and it became known as the McLeroy Gin. Cotton buyers were attracted to Alvarado by two rail lines that intersected there, bound for major cotton markets in Dallas, Fort Worth and Waco. The McLeroy Gin continued to operate through the 1920s and 1930s, and finally closed in 1948. The building housing the cotton gin burned in 1953, destroying the remnants of a once-thriving business. (1997)

Year built?: 1896 Is the mill or gin still in operation?: No What is or was processed here?: Cotton Are tours available?: Private property-No Trespassing! How is or was it powered?: unknown Related link to this waymark.: Not listed What is it used as today?: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
A picture of the mill or gin along with any information you can provide about the waymark and what you might have experienced while visiting.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   02/17/2010 raykyra visited it 10/13/2009 txoilgas visited it

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