Texas' First Rice Mill
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Beaumont Rice Mill, founded 1892 by J. E. Broussard, was developed after first commercial planting of rice in Texas in 1863. Earlier crops, due to dependence on rain, were dubbed "Providence Rice." Broussard, pioneer grower and irrigator, was also co-founder of Rice Millers' Association. His efforts caused factories to spring up in nearby counties. Firm is still operated by his descendants. Present building was erected in 1907. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Along the Gulf prairie of Southeast Texas, early rice growers depended so entirely on rainfall that their crop earned the wry name "Providence Rice." J. E. Broussard changed that: a pioneer grower and irrigator, he founded the Beaumont Rice Mill in 1892 and helped organize the Rice Millers' Association, spurring mills across neighboring counties. The present mill building went up in 1907, and Broussard's descendants have kept the firm running ever since.
Why it matters
It marks the birth of Texas as a rice-growing state, showing how irrigation and organized milling turned an unreliable frontier experiment into a lasting Gulf Coast industry.
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Related people
- · J. E. Broussard
Themes & tags
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