Cen-Tex Wool Mill Historic District
Also known as: Planters and Manufacturers Cotton Mill
Why it's listed
Two miles north of downtown San Marcos, a cluster of twelve industrial buildings and structures records the town's cotton and wool manufacturing past. The complex began in 1924-1929 as the Planters and Manufacturers Cotton Mill, whose main building was among the first in the area built entirely of reinforced concrete and had an automatic sprinkler system. After years of temporary uses, it became the first commercial wool scouring plant in Texas in 1940, and a blanket mill, hat factory and wool warehouses followed. For most of its operating years it was the largest wool-scouring mill west of the Mississippi River, and it was also a leading source of raw lanolin. The utilitarian buildings use concrete, glazed brick and corrugated metal, and a 100-foot steel water tower and a working rail spur survive. Rehabilitated in the late 1980s, the buildings now serve as commercial lease space. Only one 1970s building is non-contributing. The district was listed for its role in local industry.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the last remaining San Marcos properties representing the cotton and wool industries that once dominated the local economy. The mill housed the first commercial wool scouring plant in Texas, starting in 1940, and later operated as the largest wool-scouring mill west of the Mississippi River. It was also a major local employer and a leading source of raw lanolin.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000520, listed June 1, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 101 Uhland Rd., San Marcos |
|---|---|
| County | Hays County |
| Listed | June 1, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000520 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1939-1955 |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Buildings were rehabilitated in the late 1980s and are leased as commercial space, with one building rented as a residence. A railway siding and the water tower remain functioning. |
| Acreage | 12.1 |
| Coordinates | 29.90065, -97.91643 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000520.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999859
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.