Historical Marker

Machinery From First Factory in Athens

Historical marker location:

Athens, Texas

( SH 19 (S. Palestine Rd. at Bryson Rd.))

Established 1882 (at site 1.5 mi. NE) by local planter H. M. Morrison, to make building brick. Total original machinery consisted of this press and plunger. Press was hand-operated. A mule-drawn swivel ran the plunger, mixing clay dug at the plant site.

C. H. Coleman bought into firm in 1891; after Morrison's death in 1899 he became sole owner.

Harbison-Walker Refractories Company bought business in 1940; continued making Coleman brick and enriching economy until closing in 1968. These machines are a permanent loan to city of Athens from Harbison-Walker.