Site of the Central Manufacturing Co.
Belton, Bell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A Scotsman, Robert Naismith (1859-1939), founded the Central Manufacturing Co. in a two-story building on this lot in 1893. Using equipment originally powered by steam, he supplied and repaired machine parts for the Belton area. The company also did iron work and blacksmithing and each summer cleaned the city water supply standpipe. Two of Naismith's sons, Robert and Willie, operated the business until 1961. They then made the property available for a city hall, as their father had earlier requested. (1977)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Scottish immigrant Robert Naismith founded the Central Manufacturing Co. in a two-story building on this Belton lot in 1893, using steam-powered equipment to supply and repair machine parts for the surrounding area. The shop also did ironwork, blacksmithing, and even cleaned the city's water standpipe each summer. Two of Naismith's sons ran the business until 1961, then—honoring their father's wish—turned the property over for use as a city hall.
Why it matters
Small machine shops like Naismith's were the mechanical backbone of Gilded Age towns, keeping farms, mills, and municipal works running.
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Related people
- · Robert Naismith
Themes & tags
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