Exploring history of the South Texas Cotton Oil Mill in Del Valle, Texas.

South Texas Cotton Oil Mill is one of the forgotten cotton gins and mills of Del Valle along with Travis County and Austin. This article will explore some of the history behind the Del Valle branch of South Texas Cotton Oil Mill.

South Texas Cotton Oil Mill purchased some of the land where Del Valle Gin Company was ginning on to expand their ginning operation in 1928. Now South Texas Cotton Oil Mill owned this land property for more than 40 years. Del Valle Gin Co was on property owned by South Texas Cotton Oil Mill. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=119263)

It was established inside the Glenbrook subdivision of Del Valle which is located on TX 71. The cotton gin was established on Meldrum Road one block north of TX 71 (Highway 71). (Ref: Deed Records of Travis County, Volume 5, Page 30)

South Texas Cotton Oil Mill decided to move part of the Del Valle branch of their ginning operation to Austin in 1943 since that is where the Austin Cotton Mill was located. The Austin Cotton Mill had producing the most cotton in all of Austin and Travis County during that time.

South Texas Cotton Oil Mill competed in the agricultural business of cotton farming with other local cotton gins of Travis County. South Texas Cotton Oil Mill was a cotton gin that provided cotton for the Del Valle community along with several other cotton gins. Over 200 people used their services within Southeast Travis County. 200 tons of cotton were produced at this cotton gin owned by Albin Carl Jacobson. (Ref: Deed Records of Travis County, Volume 1950, Page 224)

The 6 acres of land were sold to several people and Travis County in 1958. Albin Carl Jacobson deeded the land to Milton Cockrum in February 26, 1959. Albin Carl Jacobson was still allowed to operate his cotton gin on the property under a stipulation. (Ref: Deed Records of Travis County, Volume 2013, Page 107)

South Texas Cotton Oil Mill sold the land back to Del Valle Gin Co in 1968 after moving to the Austin Cotton Mill on 4th Street & Chicon Street. A portion of land from the former cotton gin located on Meldrum Road was deeded to Robbie Lee Ellis on November 11, 1972. Robbie Lee Ellis had everything on the property cleared in 1973. All that remained was gravel. (Ref: Deed Records of Travis County, Volume 4501, Page 1870)

Today nothing remains of South Texas Cotton Oil Mil except for the concrete driveways. South Texas Cotton Oil Mill is now one of the forgotten cotton gins of Travis County.

South Texas Cotton Oil Mill was located on 3059 East Highway 71, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.