The Alliance Gin is one of the many forgotten cotton gins of Austin and Travis County. Only so much history has been documented about this cotton gin. Michael Mixerr will try to explain the history behind the Alliance Gin in Austin, Texas in this news article. 
Alliance Gin was established in the rural community and settlement of Pilot Knob which is right on the outskirts of Austin around 1882. Although the exact date of when this gin was established and constructed is unknown. Alliance Gin was established on a road called Alliance Gin Road which is now currently Sassman Road facing Austin and Creedmoor Road. Alliance Gin Road was named after Alliance Gin.
Alliance Gin started appearing on maps in 1898. Alliance Gin was located directly east of what was Alliance Gin Road and is now Sassman Road. (Ref: 1898-1902 Travis County Clerk Records: Road Book Precinct 4)
New machinery and farming equipment were installed in 1899 when a lady named Addie Wright from Dripping Springs came to install new machinery at the Alliance Gin. “Allie Wright of Dripping Springs is putting up some new machinery at the Alliance gin.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366626883/)
There have been times when Alliance gin's output to date was a total of 1,400 bales. At one point Alliance Gin beat the Farmers' Ginning and Milling company's total to date surprisingly. The total output of Alliance gin was differently each week on a weekly basis. Mostly in the hundreds.
According to the Austin Daily Statesman, Alliance Gin was known as a “double gin” by 1911. Extra bales of cotton from this gin served the communities of Colton, Pilot Knob, Creedmoor, Bluff Springs, Mendoza, Austin, and Buda. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366343890/)
“The Alliance gin at this place has labored under such great difficulties this season. It is known as a double gin, and extra large bales of cot ion have served to keep one side out of a portion of the time and the season. Yesterday the large press blocking, broke when a heavy bale was being churned out.”
Alliance Gin Road was still being referred to as Alliance Gin Road in 1918. Alliance Gin Road connected to what was then known as Del Valle Road (also known as the Austin and Creedmoor Road via Colton and Pilot Knob) and is now FM 1625 in 1918. The highway road east of Alliance Gin Road was also known as the Austin and Lockhart Road. This road served as the Lockhart Highway then too. Alliance Gin and Alliance Gin Road were still active then. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364745768/)
“Those south and west of the Middle Lockhart road are to cast their votes at Bluff Springs voting box, and all qualified property tax paying voters of said Defined Road District No. 1 residing In the Carl election precinct and those residing north of the north boundary of the Call Election precinct and east of the Middle Austin and Ick-hart road and south of the Alliance Gin road and west of the Austin and Creedmoor road via Colton (known as Del Valle East Line road) are to cast their votes at Carl voting box and all qualified property tax paying voters of said Road District No. 1 residing in the Creedmoor election precinct and those residing north of the Creedmoor election precinct and east of the Austin and Creedmoor road via Colton and south of Colton and Red Rock road.”
(Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364749516/)
Alliance Gin might have shut down around 1922. The exact is unknown. No traces of this cotton gin exist to as a house has been built over the property. 
The exact location for Alliance Gin was 9209 FM 1625, Austin, Texas, US 78747.
No comments:
Post a Comment