Farmers Union Gin Company, Cotton gin industrial complex in San Marcos, Texas.
Farmers Union Gin Company is a cotton processing industrial complex located on Grove Street with a main building constructed in 1911. The structure displays the typical architectural features of cotton gin operations from that era.
The operation was established in 1909 and processed cotton for farmers across the Central Texas region for more than five decades. Its long operational life made it a key part of the agricultural infrastructure that supported rural communities.
The cotton processing operation shaped the local economy and demonstrates how farmers in this region depended on industrial facilities to prepare their harvests. Walking through the space reveals the scale of work that happened here and the technology that supported rural commerce.
The site is open to public visits and visitors should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor exploration of the grounds. Morning hours offer the best lighting for photography and comfortable conditions for walking through the property and understanding the layout.
The operation was organized as a farmer-owned cooperative where members pooled resources to process their own cotton together. This cooperative model set it apart from many competing ginning operations in the area that were privately owned for individual profit.
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