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The history of the Elmendorf Cotton Gin was only something that we had recently stumbled across in resent research expiditions to the Wilson County. It was something completely unknown to us prior to our trip. The photo is from August 12, 1910. We are currently unsure of the direction the photo was taken from. We are currently doing further research regarding the cotton gin.
The photo is from the Bucky Ball collection, used with permissions.
This photo is actually a post card from August 4th, 1904. It shows workers posing for a company photo (assumed). Of the workers seen, the man in the center of the front three men is the Great Grandfather of Bucky Ball. He was a worker at the Cotton Gin during the time that it was here.
Note: If you look behind the men on the cotton bails, you will see the sides of a wooden boxcar. Unfortunately there are not reporting marks or logos that can be seen to let us know what railroad the car is from. It would be safe to assume, though, that this is in fact a San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway boxcar!
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
This photo was taken on September 11th, 1905 of the Saenger Cotton Gin. The photo is taken from a different direction from the other two photos.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
Elmendorf once had its own drug store that served its citizens. In this photo, taken on January 8th, 1905, shows Mr. Henry Ball is standing outside the front of the old Drug Store.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
The Fest & Ball General Merchandise store was one of a couple general stores that once served the City of Elmendorf. We are unsure of the date on the photo, but from the other photo we have, it would stand to reason that this was taken in the early 1920's.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
Store staff pose for a photo of the interior of the Fest & Ball General Merchandise Store.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
Exterior of the Fest & Ball GM Store with the Meat market addition on the right side. Photo from January 10th, 1926.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
Photo of the Red Ball Garage in Elmendorf, TX. This store was located on Old Corpus Chrisit Highway, in downtown Elmendorf. The date of this photo is unknown.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
We do not have much information on this store or even where it was exactly located in Elmendorf. The sign says C.B. Gaskins Dealer in General Merchandise. From the look of the people in the photo, we can make a general guess as to the time of the photo. It would appear to have been taken in the late 1800's, possibly after the founding of the City of Elemndorf. If so, this would be the earliest know photo of a business in Elmendorf, TX.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
At one time, Elmendorf had its own school. It was located off Old Corpus Christi Highway, in area that what is now used as the City Park. After East Central School District closed the school, it stood for a few years before ultimately being demolished for safety concerns by the school district. The photo was taken in July 1960.
From the Bucky Ball Collection, used with permissions.
This photo shows the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway trackage diagram for Elmendorf. The image is noted at being from 1920. Note that the diagram shows there were two siding for the Star Pottery Company, which is also know as Richter Pottery. Also the exact location of the depot for Elmendorf can be noted as milepost 222.05.
The only known photo of the SA&AP depot in Elmendorf. The photo has the station agent and his wife posing out front of the depot.
Photo (090-0494) from the University of Texas, San Antonio, Institute of Texan Cultures. Used with permissions.