Near Site of Early Meat-Packing Plant

Probably first commercial meat-packing plant in Texas. In early 1840's, English firm of Jones & Co. established a beef-preserving plant at Liberty Landing. British gold bought beef on hoof at four cents a pound. In processing, barrels of meat were put in iron cylinders and air was expelled, causing a vacuum. Brine was then added. When beef was removed, it was packed in salt and shipped to Galveston by steamer and on to West Indies in English sailing vessels. Firm also made candles, tallow, Neat's-Foot Oil, and glue. A flood destroyed factory, 1844.