History of Manchaca Gin in Manachaca, Texas explored.

Manchaca Gin is one of the many long forgotten cotton gins of Travis County from the 20th century. Not too much history can be found about this particular gin online or offline. This news article will examine the history behind Manchaca Gin.

Manchaca Gin was established and constructed in the summer of 1921. Construction of this cotton gin would take a couple of years. Manchaca Gin would open in 1922. S. T. Carpeneter owned and operated Manchaca Gin. Elmer Severns from Buda was responsible for managing the Manchaca Gin.

The first bale of cotton ginned at Manchaca Gin was ginned on the date of  Wednesday, August 14, 1923. The Austin American wrote a small news article about the first bale of ginned at Manchaca Gin which appeared under the caption of “First Bale Ginned”.  “The Manchaca gin, under management of Elmer Severns from Buda, ginned its first bale Saturday. Cotton is opening very slowly but by the last of the week picking will be well under way.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19813681/manchaca-gin/)

The Austin American ran a news article about the resignation of A. F. Felps in their newspaper in 1922. “A. F. Felps has resigned his position with the Manchaca Gin Company. Mr. Loorais has accepted the vacancy. A. B. Felps and family are moving this week to the Kuykendall ranch, five miles west of town.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384470142/)

S. T. Carpeneter had operated the Manchaca Gin for a number of years by 1928. Elmer Severns had a position with the Manchaca Gin Company for many years. S. T. Carpeneter would have Manchaca Gin later shut down due to him aging.