Pioneer Cotton Seed Oil Mill

Here the Sherman Cotton Oil Company was created by John Clement Tassey between 1871-1879, to become, at one time, largest of its kind in the world. Company was at first housed in frame buildings. In 1891 a permanent building was erected; spacious engine room contained white marble slab floor, oak paneled walls, red brick fireplace of English design, and a carved oak staircase.

The new facility had a peak capacity of over 400 tons of cotton seed a day. By 1893, was called "largest cotton seed oil mill in the world" in geography textbooks; Texas "Almanac," 1904. Oil from this plant went to ports throughout the world. Tassey was known in Europe as "Mr. Sherman," and Sherman as the city "where the oil comes from.

" A pioneer in use of cotton seed for edible purposes; in 1902 a preparation of cotton seed oil for cooking was added to company's production. Smaller mills began competing for available seed; by 1903 plant closed because of inability to secure sufficient cotton seed to operate economically. It was reorganized and reopened in 1913 as the Interstate Cotton Oil Refining company.

The original permanent building, facing Pecan Street, is now a part of this modern Sherman plant. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 Incise in base: Erected by Anderson, Clayton & Co. Foods Division