Office of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding and Consolidated Steel Corporation

Historical marker location:
Orange, Texas
( Green Ave. at Simmons Dr.)
Marker installed: 2008
Marker size: 27" x 42"

Orange's location at a bend in the Sabine River, adjacent to the immense virgin pine forests of southeast Texas, made it an ideal site for shipbuilding. However, by 1930 all of the easily obtainable timber was exhausted, and the associated sawmills closed. The Depression of the 1930s also weighed heavily on the population of Orange. In July 1940, Congressman Martin Dies and Vice-President John Nance Garner attached an amendment to a large general appropriations bill to build twenty-four surf-landing crafts and twelve destroyers in Orange. The Office of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, USN, Orange, Texas, was established at this time, with CDR E.B. Perry as the first supervisor. The supervisor was responsible for directing the construction of the thirty-six crafts, and also the establishment of a shipyard in Orange to support the endeavor. The facility was built on sixty-five acres at a bend in the Sabine River. Levingston Shipbuilding's tugboat and barge shipyard occupied a small portion of the west side, and the remainder was occupied by Consolidated Steel Corporation's steel fabricating plant, where the Office of the Supervisor was also located. On May 14, 1941, construction began at Consolidated Steel on the Destroyers USS Aulick and USS Charles Ausburne, the first two warships constructed on the gulf coast for the U.S. government. In total, thirty-nine destroyers and 100 destroyer escorts were built at the Consolidated Steel Corporation yard during World War II. After the war, the Naval facility prepared ships for storage in the Naval Reserve Fleet as the United States Naval Inactive Ship Naintenance Facility. (2008) Marker Is Property of the State of Texas

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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The Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. space program. It was here that NASA trained its astronauts and mission control teams, and it continues to be an important center for space research and exploration today.
Orange County, Texas has a rich history that dates back thousands of years to when it was inhabited by various Native American tribes. The earliest recorded human activity in the region can be traced back to the Coastal Coles Creek culture, which thrived from around 700 to 1200 AD. The area was later settled by the Atakapa Indians, who occupied the region until European explorers arrived in the 16th century.

Spanish explorers first arrived in the area in the 16th century, and French explorers followed shortly after. However, it was not until the early 19th century that permanent European settlement began in the present-day Orange County. The region became a part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and during the mid-1800s, the area attracted an influx of immigrants, primarily from the southern United States, seeking fertile land for farming.

The establishment of a port on the Sabine River in the mid-19th century greatly contributed to the growth and development of Orange County. The town of Orange was founded in 1836, and the advent of steamboats allowed for increased trade and transportation. The region's economy prospered with the lumber industry becoming a major player. Sawmills and logging camps emerged, and Orange County became a leading producer of timber.

In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil and the subsequent establishment of oil refineries provided an economic boost to Orange County. The region attracted oil companies and their employees, leading to rapid growth and increased prosperity. Today, Orange County continues to thrive with a diverse economy that includes industries such as petrochemicals, shipbuilding, agriculture, and tourism, while still preserving its historical roots and cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Orange County, Texas.

  • 1690 - The area now known as Orange County was explored by Spanish explorers.
  • 1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain, and the region becomes part of Mexico.
  • 1836 - Texas declares independence from Mexico, and Orange County becomes a part of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1852 - Orange County is officially established as a county in the state of Texas.
  • 1861-1865 - Orange County, like the rest of Texas, is a part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
  • 1895 - The city of Orange is incorporated.
  • 1901 - The Spindletop oil field is discovered near Orange, leading to an economic boom in the area.
  • 1903 - The City of Orange Heights is incorporated.
  • 1938 - The American Bridge Company opens a shipyard in Orange, contributing to the area's growth.
  • 1951 - The Mauriceville education system is consolidated into the Little Cypress Consolidated Independent School District.
  • 1973 - The City of West Orange is incorporated.