USA > Texas > Standard blue book of Texas, 1920 > Part 4
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Corsicana is an important railroad and highway center, there being three trunk railroad lines, the Cotton Belt, H. & T. C. and the T. & B. V. through this city, and a branch of the Cotton Belt to Hillsboro, also there is hourly passen- ger and freight interurban service to all points North. There are six highway systems running through Corsicana, four of which are inter-state and two state wide. The Exall Highway north and south,-a link of the Great Lakes to the Gulf system,-the Denver Division of the Exall Highway, from Colorado to the Gulf, the D. C. D. Highway Asso- ciation from Colorado to the Gulf and is extending the organization to Spo- kane, Washington, the Lone Star Trails Association, east and west from Sa- vannah, Georgia, to San Diego, Califor- nia, the Roger Q. Mills Highway, from Palestine to Hillsboro and the East and West Texas from Tyler to Waco. Na- varro County has over 300 miles of piked roads but will soon vote a coun- ty-wide good roads bond issue of suf- ficient size to make all the highways and community roads permanent. This county has spent so far $1,500,000 on good roads.
Corsicana has good schools, fine churches, municipal form of govern- ment, municipally owned water sys- tem with big fresh water lake, four strong banks, splendid social opportuni- ties, 20 miles pavement and 75 miles concrete and brick sidewalks.
Corsicana Factory output over $9,- 000,000. Goods sold at wholesale, over $7,000,000. Annual pay roll over $2,500,000. Population 17,500. Freight forwarded 125,000 tons. Freight re- ceived, 75,000 tons. Met all govern- ment demands and went "Over the Top" on all Red Cross, War Savings, Stamp, Liberty Bonds and other drives. The Corsicana Chamber of Commerce with 500 members is at your service.
56
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
HOUSTON
Written Especially for the Standard Blue Book By THE HOUSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HOUSTON has every condition to justify her ambition to become a world port with a tremendous volume of ocean trade.
Houston has a deep water port, with a ship channel, reaching from her munici- pal wharves to the Gulf of Mexico, serv- ing as the highway of ocean commerce.
How this channel was developed from an unnavigable "bayou" to its present depth and width, with ocean-going craft sailing its waters to and from Houston, forms a romantic chapter in the commun- ity life of this city.
Fifty years ago work was first begun: It required six years to complete the first unit. The work was continued with vigor and zeal, however, with the realization that success would crown the effort to make Houston a world port.
This arm of the Gulf now extends to Houston's very doors. At the head of navigation in the city limits is a "turning basin" excavated from mother earth and filled with tidewater from the sea, 25 miles distant. It is here that ships turn around and head for the sea.
On the sides of the channel at the turn- ing basin are docks, wharves, warehouses and railway trackage and other facilities for loading and unloading cargoes. All these facilities are owned solely by the City of Houston. Although there are 18 main line railways radiating in every di- rection from Houston, not one foot of the chanrel frontage nor a mile of railway terminal facilities are owned by any pri- vate corporation. The City of Houston owns not only its docks and wharves, but its belt line railway, which connects all docks, wharves and industrial plants on the channel with the 18 main line rail- ways. It will be impossible, therefore, for the water front of this magnificent harbor to ever be under the control of private corporations.
This tremendous development work has been done at a cost of more than seven and a half million dollars, but it is regarded as the best investment Houston ever made.
The channel was opened to shipping in 1914. The shipping growth has been so rapid that facilities for handling cargoes are now becoming severely taxed and the city government is devising ways and means of extending and enlarging those facilities.
We are now shipping Texas cotton from our wharves to the markets of Eng- land and other Nations of the old world. We have steamship service between Houston and Philadelphia, with the posi- tive assurance that a new line between Houston and New York will be establish- ed at an early date. Boston is knocking for admission with a steamship line in order to reach the markets of the So ith- west with New England manufactu. d goods and to secure Texas cotton .id wool for the New England mills. We have established regular service between Houston and the ports of Tampico, Vera Cruz, Tuxpam and other Mexican ports. We are beginning a trade development with Mexico that promises to reach tre- mendous proportions.
The port of Houston, with its unparal- leled facilities for loading and unloading ship cargoes, is absolutely free to com- merce. No charge whatever is made against vessels entering this port. It is the only free port in the South.
Houston's population has more than doubled during the past ten years. Her building growth has been phenomenal, yet no other American city presents greater opportunity for successful indus- tries. There are now being built here a dozen large office buildings, and there is urgent need for double that number. All lines of wholesale and retail business are enjoying the greatest prosperity in their history. Houston offers advantages to all who are seeking opportunity to come here and utilize the marvelous resources afforded for winning success. We ex- tend a welcome to the world, and the Houston Chamber of Commerce is main- tained for the purpose of lending assist- ance to all responsible parties who desire information or assistance in entering this field of unlimited promise.
57
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
PORT ARTHUR
Written Especially for the Standard Blue Book By THE PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AMONG the numerous ports which have been developed on the Gulf coast during the past two decades, Port Arthur easily takes pre-eminence in point of commodity values. In point of tonnage movement it is in advance of any Gulf port. This seeming incompati- bility is due to the fact that while other Gulf ports are heavy exporters of cotton, which has a high value per ton, the bulk of Port Arthur's water movement of freight is in oil, which has not so high a value per ton.
As a vessel-owning port, Port Arthur ranks first among all ports south of Bal- timore, and at the present time over 125,000 tons of American shipping carry the name of Port Arthur as their home port. Statistics recently compiled show that a total of 35,000 seamen come into this port each year.
The chief industry of the city, oil re- fining, was commenced with the discov- ery of oil on Spindle Top, early in 1901. Since then, while only two refining plants have been built in the city proper, the two concerns have each year enlarged their plants by an amount which would easily be counted for another refinery. Oil refining and shipping, with a consid- erable amount of general cargo move- ment, makes up the principal business of the city, and the population, shown by the Federal census to be between 22,000 and 23,000, is in reality something over 25,000, when the people living at the re- fineries and who are outside the city limits are counted.
Port Arthur has the most advanced system of public schools in the State and adaptation of the Gary system to local conditions, which provides a maximum of education in all branches, academic, vocational and ethical, combined with thorough attention to the physical devel- opment of the students. This year's scholastic enrollment is between 4500 and 5000, and the course of instruction includes everything from arithmetic to Latin, and from military designing to automobile repairing. Special classes in chemistry of oil and engineering are con-
ducted for those wishing to study along night schools, in which adults are given special instruction and training in any branches they wish, is high in the hun- dreds.
Public improvement work has includ- ed construction of an excellent system of asphalt and shell paved streets, sewer, drainage and storm protection systems, garbage incinerator plant, water supply, abattoir and numerous other public fa- cilities, owned by the municipality.
The city has been made the play- ground for a large section of eastern Texas and western Louisiana by the con- struction of a pleasure pier with an area of ten acres, extending half a mile into Lake Sabine in front of the city.
At the water front the Gulf Refining Company and the Texas Company own private docks, and the Gulf Company's docks are constructed along a private harbor or basin excavated by the com- pany. The port has a total of 11,000 lineal feet of docks, part of concrete and part of timber construction; a grain ele- vator with storage capacity of 500,000 and loading capacity of 30,000 bushels per hour, working four spouts. Ware- houses line 5,000 lineal feet of the wharves.
Port Arthur Canal and Dock Com- pany, operating under State charter, own terminals with 7400 lineal feet of wharves. The Gulf Company has 2,200 feet and the Texas Company 200 feet of wharves. Railroad lines transfer from rail to ship, and vice versa. Electrically operated ten-ton boom on lumber dock. Mechanical handling facilities include cranes, magnets, hoists, conveyors, etc. Texas Company wharves equipped with traveling conveyors with spirals to hood for loading case oil, capacity 25,000 cases per day.
Dry docking facilities : At present, four repair plants. Plant under construction will handle 3500 tons. Coal bunkering : Basin Supply Company has derrick barge of 500 tons capacity ; will load at rate of 75 tons per hour.
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58
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
SAN ANTONIO
Written Especially for the Standard Blue Book By THE SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SAN ANTONIO is the greatest metropo-
lis of the Southwest. The population is estimated at 160,000. The area of the city is 36 square miles or 23,040 acres. There are 650 miles of streets, 336 of which are paved.
There are 73 schools in the city, 34 public schools, 3 high schools and 36 pri- vate schools. The total value of school property is about $5,000,000. More than 31,477 pupils are registered in the public schools.
There are 69 churches in the city, all denominations being represented.
San Antonio has often been called the "City of Beautiful Homes." It is esti- mated that there are 32,000 homes in the city, 50 per cent of which are occupied by their owners. Architecture of every period and nearly every style is repre- sented, some of the homes being among the most costly in this part of the coun- try.
Building operations in 1918 totaled $3,754,054, the largest figures in the last 12 years, and showing a 71 per cent in- crease over 1917.
The city records show an assessed valuation of $132,284,847, real estate be- ing $96,614,407 and the personal prop- erty $35,670,440. The bonded indebted- ness is only $8,238,500, at an average in- terest rate of 5 per cent.
San Antonio has a number of the most modernly appointed and best equipped hotels in the South, among them being the Gunter, St. Anthony, the Lanier, the Randall Hotel, Argyle, Maverick, Hutch- ins, Garden, Crockett, Imperial, Majes- tic, Travelers and Hotel Arthur.
Postal receipts for 1918 were $1,145,- 326. In 1919, the next largest year, the receipts were $925,945.82.
San Antonio has 24 banks-National, State and private. The combined capital is more than $8,000,000. Deposits aver- age $45,000,000. Cash on hand averages $16,000,000 and loans $36,000,000.
The last surveys of the industries show that the factories employ approxi- mately 7000 persons, and the value of the output for 1918 was $30,712,876. The pay roll is in the neighorhood of $6,- 000,000 annually.
Oil and natural gas have been discov- ered near San Antonio, which will result in great development in the industrial line on account of the cheap fuel that will be supplied from these fields.
Six railroad lines, upon which ninety- one trains enter and leave the city daily, connect San Antonio with the North, East, South and West. Forty-six of these trains are passenger, and the freight trains average forty-five daily.
An electric street car system, with 92 miles of track, operated throughout the entire city. There are 235 miles of sew- ers, 206 miles of sanitary and 29 miles of storm sewers.
The water supply of San Antonio is one of the finest in the United States, and experts say that it is sufficient to supply a city of 500,000. The water is drawn from 14 artesian wells, ranging in depth from 800 to 1600 feet, which supply about 50,000,000 gallons daily. Most of the hotels and manufacturing plants and many of the irrigated gardens in and near the city have their own wells, flow- ing an additional 50,000,000 gallons of water daily. This water is clear and cold, with but little minerals in solu- tion.
The growth of San Antonio having sprung mainly from the service it has
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59
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
rendered as a distributing point, deve1- oping its wholesale business to about $150,000,000 value annually, it becomes necessary to consider the trade territory served by San Antonio.
This trade territory covers 63 counties and contains 68,015 square miles, or 43,529,600 acres. This is an area larger by 3850 square miles than the combined areas of Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jer- sey, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Dela- ware. The population of this territory is nearly 1,000,000. This population has been supported and this wealth pro- duced on less than 15 per cent develop- ment of the agricultural lands in the area indicated. It is estimated that in this territory there are between 20,000,000 and 25,000,000 acres of good agricul- tural land fit for cultivation, but not yet in cultivation.
The total value of the agricultural products and live stock produced in this area in 1918, according to official fig- ures of the State Comptroller of Texas, was over $200,000,000. The cotton raised in the section in 1916 was estimated by the State experts at 700,000 bales, with a value of $150,000,000.
The climate of San Antonio is favor- able to manufacturing for the following reasons : The mildness of the climate makes a saving in the fuel bill necessary to the heating of plants. The length of the days in the winter is greater than in Northern latitudes, hence there is a sar- ing in the lighting costs. The climate be- ing favorable to human life, gives greater efficiency and a generally happier and
more contented condition of the workers. The favorable climate, together with the rich soil and relatively reasonable prices of land in and near the city, makes it, possible for workmen to grow vegetables winter and summer at their homes, and thereby make those homes wholly or partly self-sustaining. Money thus saved is money made, and the workman at the same wage makes more money under those conditions.
The average temperature for the year 1918 was 60 degrees, the lowest in the average being 47 degrees in January and the highest 85 degrees in July. The rel - tive humidity was only 60.6 degrees. Last year there were 290 days when the sun shone, this being slightly less than 1917, when 322 days were counted. The monthly average temperature and rain- fall since 1871 follows:
Deg. F
Inches
January
51.1
1.40
February
54.4
1.61
March
62.1
1.73
April
69.0
2.74
May
74.8
2.11
June
80.4
2.68
July
82.4
2.43
August
82.0
2.57
September
77.1
3.44
October
69.2
2.00
November
59.2
2.19
December
53.1
1.76
Year
67.1
27.64
The average relative humidity is only 67 per cent.
60
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
TAYLOR
Written Especially for the Standard Blue Book
BY THE RETAIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION, INC.
TAYLOR is a city of about 10,000 popu-
lation, located in the heart of the fa- mous "black land" belt of Texas, where exhaustion of land is unknown. There are farms around this city that have been in cultivation formore than 75 years and, without being fertilized in any man- ner, are today producing better crops than they did 75 years ago. This land is the most fertile within the confines of the United States of America and will pro- duce any crop that is planted and prop- erly worked, though cotton, corn, oats and sorghum are the staple crops.
The International and Great Northern Railway and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway junction in Taylor, giv- ing short quick-haul to every direction of the compass and to every market reached by rail. Likewise giving short-haul to the seaports at Houston and Galveston.
Taylor is the main trading center be- tween Dallas and Houston on the M., K. and T. and between San Antonio and Pal- estine on the I. and G. N., which gives it a trade territory that can not be sur- passed.
Taylor is the best paved city in Texas, by which we mean that it has more square miles of paving per capita than any other city in the State, the total be- ing about 21 lineal miles of paved streets.
Located in Taylor is the largest deep water well in the State. This well is about 3400 feet deep and flows about 3,000,000 gallons of pure water within
every day of the year. This well is own- ed by the Taylor Water Company, of which Mr. A. J. Zilker of Austin, Texas, is the president.
About seven miles from Taylor is the famous oil field at Thrall. This field is about six years old now and, while not a big oil field, it has some very good pump- ing wells that produce a very fine grade of crude oil.
The City of Taylor has a commission form of government. The people elect five commissioners at large, who in turn employ a city manager, who is charged with the executive affairs of the city.
Taylor has good schools and good churches, clubs, lodges and other simi- lar associations usual to a place of this size.
Farming is the chief industry, but there are several manufacturing con- cerns in the city, among which may be mentioned eight cotton gins, three oil mills, machine shops, a large mattress factory and two ice factories.
Mercantile lines and professional callings are well represented by able men, who have worked together for the building of this magnificent little city.
Taylor has four strong, progressive banks, that continue to show increasing deposits each year.
Those contemplating a change of resi- dence for social, business or health rea- sons should investigate the City of Taylor.
61
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
TEMPLE
Written Especially for the Standard Blue Book BY THE TEMPLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE town of Temple was founded in 1881. The population today is ap- proximately 17,000-and "Every One a Live One." Located 128 miles south of Fort Worth and 212 miles north of Gal- veston and is served by two railroads, namely, the M. K. and T. and the Santa Fe. An interurban railroad between Temple and Belton, with its lines run- ning through the main residence sections of both cities. The two great Southwest- ern trunk line railroads through the city with 32 passenger trains daily. The freight tonnage outbound from Temple in 1919 was far greater than that of any previous year, and likewise with the in- bound. The railroad revenue here far exceeds the million-dollar mark.
Temple has seven and one-half miles of paved streets, 120 miles of concrete sidewalks and macadam roads leading in all directions from the city. Temple is also one of the principal points on the King of Trails and the Meridian High- ways running from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Every residence street is bor- dered with large, beautiful trees, mak- ing Temple a veritable park.
Temple has flour mills, planing mills, sash and door works, bottling works, a candy factory, the largest chewing gum factory in the South, two large ice and cold storage plants, cotton seed oil mills, compresses, cotton gins, foundry and ma- chine shops, mattress factory, tin and sheet metal works, grist and feed mill, ice cream factories, creameries, bakeries and marble and granite works. Temple is also a center for the wholesale grocery houses, three of the largest in the State being represented here.
The excellent system of public schools in Temple, managed and conducted ac- cording to the latest improved methods, is sufficient evidence that Temple is no secondary city as far as educational ad- vantages are concerned. A high school building costing over $100,000.00, and seven two-story brick ward buildings.
Temple churches, representing all the leading denominations, are noted for their size and architectural beauty.
There are three of the largest and most up-to-date surgical institutions in the South located here, namely : Temple Sanitarium, the King's Daughters Hos- pital and the Santa Fe Hospital. The Santa Fe Hospital is used by this entire division of the G. C. and S. Fe Railroad.
Temple owns her own waterworks plant, valued at over half a million dol- lars, with an unlimited water supply de- livered to the people 98 per cent pure, through a perfect filtration plant; also owns her own sewerage system, valued at more than $150,000.00.
Temple is noted for her health condi- tions, pure water and good climate, hav- ing an elevation of 703 feet above the sea level and being the highest point of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railways.
Temple's growth has been steady and substantial, and is due to the enterprise and push of its business men and citizens.
Temple is surrounded by some of the best cotton, grain, general farming and stock lands in Central Texas. The cli- mate of this section is unsurpassed. The spring and fall months are exceedingly delightful. Temple is considered one of the most healthful cities in the Middle West.
Organization and co-operation are the essential elements of success in the af- fairs of men and cities. The rapid growth and development of the City of Temple during the past few years is due directly to the fact that its citizens are united and co-operate in all matters per- taining to the public welfare. It is a progressive city that appeals to ambitious and progressive people.
Temple is an ideal city for factory lo- cations, and we offer many inducements. Temple has numerous other advantages that make life worth living, and to the public we extend a hearty invitation to visit our city.
62
THE STANDARD BLUE BOOK-TEXAS
WACO
Written Especially for the Standard Blue Book BY THE WACO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
NESTLING on the banks of the Brazos
River, amidst fertile fields, the City of Waco, originally called "Huaco," links the peaceful and picturesque scenes of today with the history and traditions of the Huaco Indians who in ages past es- tablished their village and council house where the silvery waters of the Bosque join those of the Brazos on its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. With a popula- tion of over 50,000 hospitable citizens, who have expended money and time to make this little city a desirable place in which to live; with beautiful homes and miles of paved streets lined with thou- sands of beautiful shade trees; with a system of public parks unexcelled in any city of its size in the United States; with fine schools, colleges and churches, Waco is most aptly called "A City With a Soul."
There are ten banks in Waco, all do- ing a good business. Business conditions generally are most prosperous.
Waco is located in the very heart of the great cotton producing area of Texas, the greatest cotton State in the world, and many of the industries of the city are naturally akin to cotton and its pro- ducts. During the cotton season, hun- dreds of thousands of bales of cotton are marketed in and through Waco; cotton gins dot the county; an immense cotton compress is located in the city, and our cotton oil mills manufacture the by-pro- ducts of the cotton seed. The agricul- tural interests of this section are not con- fined to cotton. Practically all the crops common to the South-Central part of the United States are grown in Central Tex- as. Stock raising is an important indus- try. Near Waco are several of the larg- est fine stock farms in the State, princi- pal among which are the famous Good Man Valley Farm and Wildayr Farm, both with registered Hereford cattle, Shropshire sheep, etc. Waco has a Cham- ber of Agriculture, devoted to the argi- cultural interests of this section, which has recently brought in from Nebraska over one hundred head of the finest hogs
that could be procured, distributing them on the various farms with a view of rais- ing the standard of hogs produced here. A licensed cotton classer, gain inspector, cattle inspector and several county agri- cultural and demonstration agents are kept constantly employed, looking after the interests of our agricultural sections.
Waco is the home of a number of man- ufacturing establishments. Candies, the famous "Circle A" ginger ale, pickles, rubber tires, overalls and many other commodities are manufactured here and shipped to all parts of the civilized world. Several wholesale houses are lo- cated here. We have the largest whole- sale grocery house in the entire State of Texas, two large wholesale drug houses, wholesale dry goods houses and various other wholesale concerns. A million dollar cotton mill is now under construc- tion and will be in operation within a very short time. A large cordage and twine mill will probably begin operation soon.
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