Hillsboro Cotton Mills
220 N. Houston St., Hillsboro, TXOne of the earliest and most significant industries built in Hillsboro, the locally owned Hillsboro Cotton Mills, and its operations were managed by four generations of the A.L. Smith family. The manufacturing firm, which reached peak operation during World War II, was the major employer in Hillsboro from 1904 until production ceased in 1971. The business, housed in an outstanding turn-of-the-century industrial building, played a vital role in Hillsboro's economic development.
Virtually from beginning to end, the cotton mill has been a family-owned business. After its founding in 1901 as the Hillsboro Cotton Mill Company, the firm was reorganized in 1904 as Hillsboro Cotton Mills, with a member of its board, A.L. Smith, becoming president and manager. Smith held that position until he died in 1930. His son, A.L. Smith, Jr., then became president, remaining in that capacity until he died in 1959. A.L. Smith, III then became president, and his brother, Bill R. Smith, served as vice-president. Fourth-generation Smith children are among the present owners of the property.
The Romanesque Revival style, popular for large buildings at the time, adapted well to the mill. The arcades created by fashioning windows within the semicircular arches provided ample light and ventilation for the operation. The more commanding Victorian Romanesque style allowed the entrance bay and office area to become a focal point in the main building's facade. Though wired for electric lights in 1914, the mill provided its steam power for the shaft and belt-driven machinery, and for fire-fighting equipment for many years until electric motors were installed. A complete machine shop made and repaired milling equipment on the site.
The property once contained tenement houses which were built for employees between 1905 and 1921. The last house was removed from the property in 1975. From an initial roll of 24 employees in 1901, the mill grew to employ 250 workers during its wartime peak in the 1940s. Some employees were third- and fourth-generation mill workers.
Virtually from beginning to end, the cotton mill has been a family-owned business. After its founding in 1901 as the Hillsboro Cotton Mill Company, the firm was reorganized in 1904 as Hillsboro Cotton Mills, with a member of its board, A.L. Smith, becoming president and manager. Smith held that position until he died in 1930. His son, A.L. Smith, Jr., then became president, remaining in that capacity until he died in 1959. A.L. Smith, III then became president, and his brother, Bill R. Smith, served as vice-president. Fourth-generation Smith children are among the present owners of the property.
The Romanesque Revival style, popular for large buildings at the time, adapted well to the mill. The arcades created by fashioning windows within the semicircular arches provided ample light and ventilation for the operation. The more commanding Victorian Romanesque style allowed the entrance bay and office area to become a focal point in the main building's facade. Though wired for electric lights in 1914, the mill provided its steam power for the shaft and belt-driven machinery, and for fire-fighting equipment for many years until electric motors were installed. A complete machine shop made and repaired milling equipment on the site.
The property once contained tenement houses which were built for employees between 1905 and 1921. The last house was removed from the property in 1975. From an initial roll of 24 employees in 1901, the mill grew to employ 250 workers during its wartime peak in the 1940s. Some employees were third- and fourth-generation mill workers.
Bibliography
Hillsboro Reporter, November 27, 1980.
Interview with Mrs. Bill R. Smith, Hillsboro, 1981.
Minutes of the Board of Directors, Hillsboro Cotton Mill Company, 1901-1904;
Minutes of the Board of Directors, Hillsboro Cotton Mills, 1904-1971.
Interview with Mrs. Bill R. Smith, Hillsboro, 1981.
Minutes of the Board of Directors, Hillsboro Cotton Mill Company, 1901-1904;
Minutes of the Board of Directors, Hillsboro Cotton Mills, 1904-1971.
Industry; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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About Hill County
Hill County Timeline
Hill County, located in Central Texas, has a rich history that dates back to the early Native American tribes who inhabited the region before European settlement. The area was primarily occupied by the Tonkawa and Comanche tribes, who relied on hunting and gathering for their sustenance. However, the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century marked the beginning of significant changes for Hill County.
In the early 1800s, settlers from the United States began to arrive in Hill County, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming. The Republic of Texas was established in 1836, and Hill County was founded in 1853, named after Dr. George Washington Hill, an early settler and land surveyor. The county seat was initially established in Hillsborough but later moved to Hillsboro.
During the Civil War, Hill County was divided in its loyalties, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others remaining loyal to the Union. The war took a toll on the area, leading to economic decline and agricultural setbacks. However, with the end of the war and efforts to rebuild, the county gradually recovered.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hill County saw significant growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s brought new opportunities for trade and transportation, leading to the establishment of new towns and communities. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became a mainstay of the county's economy, with numerous cotton gins and mills scattered throughout the area.
Today, Hill County is a vibrant community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historic landmarks and sites, museums, and annual events that celebrate its history. From its early Native American roots to its role in the development of Central Texas, Hill County continues to thrive as a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of its residents.
In the early 1800s, settlers from the United States began to arrive in Hill County, attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming. The Republic of Texas was established in 1836, and Hill County was founded in 1853, named after Dr. George Washington Hill, an early settler and land surveyor. The county seat was initially established in Hillsborough but later moved to Hillsboro.
During the Civil War, Hill County was divided in its loyalties, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others remaining loyal to the Union. The war took a toll on the area, leading to economic decline and agricultural setbacks. However, with the end of the war and efforts to rebuild, the county gradually recovered.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hill County saw significant growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s brought new opportunities for trade and transportation, leading to the establishment of new towns and communities. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became a mainstay of the county's economy, with numerous cotton gins and mills scattered throughout the area.
Today, Hill County is a vibrant community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historic landmarks and sites, museums, and annual events that celebrate its history. From its early Native American roots to its role in the development of Central Texas, Hill County continues to thrive as a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of its residents.
Hill County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hill County, Texas.
- 1853: Hill County established as one of the 36 original counties of Texas.
- 1854: Hillsboro becomes the county seat.
- 1860s: Hill County experiences rapid growth due to the cattle industry and the arrival of the railroad.
- 1873: The Hill County Courthouse, a two-story wooden structure, is completed.
- 1882: The Courthouse is destroyed by a fire.
- 1886: Construction of a new courthouse begins.
- 1890: The current Hill County Courthouse, a magnificent Romanesque Revival architectural style building, is completed.
- 1900s: Hill County faces numerous challenges, including droughts, the Great Depression, and the decline of the cotton industry.
- 1940s: Hill County experiences a surge in population and economic growth due to World War II and the establishment of military bases in the region.
- 1950s-1960s: Construction of Lake Whitney provides recreational opportunities and helps boost the local economy.
- 2000s: Hill County continues to develop and diversify its economy, focusing on agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.