Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of a pecan factory in Taylor. Neither had I heard of art made from license plates. Now, thanks to a visit with my new friend and longtime Taylor resident, 94-years-young Irene Moehnke Schmidt, I know something about both of these topics.
It all started when Irene called and asked if I would be interested in a group photo of workers standing in front of the pecan factory on West Second Street in Taylor. Of course, I said “yes” and made arrangements to pick up the photo.
I wanted to learn as much as possible about this part of Taylor’s history.
Irene told me her mother-in-law, Florence Schmidt, worked at the factory and is pictured in the amazing photo. Unfortunately, family conversations never included discussions about what kind of work was done there, or any other details about this local company.
A quick look at a Taylor phone book from 1940 gave the address for the Taylor Pecan Company as “1217 W. 2nd.” A closer look at the photo shows the number 1311 on the building.
Either way, the pecan factory would have been on the south side of Second Street in the area between Annie and Victoria Streets.
A quick internet search turned up one short article from a 1941 issue of the Austin American-Statesman reporting more than 100 people were put out of work when the pecan factory burned. The loss totaled $65,000 — $45,000 for the machinery and the building, and $20,000 for the pecans, “the last ones shelled, for the most part.”
Apparently, the pecan factory was a major employer in town, and the company shelled large quantities of pecans. Now, I’m wondering if the business was big enough to have occupied more than one building, accounting for the slight discrepancy in the address.
The article also stated the loss was only partly covered by insurance, which may explain why the business seems to have disappeared after that. George O. Cumings was named as manager of the company, and W. C. Wofford as president.
After our visit about the pecan factory, Irene invited me to step out onto the patio for a look at her current project – license-plate art. She doesn’t remember what gave her the idea to turn these pieces of metal into something more decorative, but she has certainly perfected this unique talent.
Not one to sit and watch TV, Irene stays busy making her own patterns and she cuts the metal plates herself, resulting in a variety of cars, tractors, ducks, armadillos, doves, buffalo, dragonflies, butterflies, turtles and teddy bears.
First, she has to go get the license plates, and then she has to clean them. Her biggest project involves making a license plate replica of her church, Immanuel Lutheran.
Irene’s work will be available for sale at the 12th Main Street Car Show Oct. 25 downtown. She’ll be there with the Taylor Lions Club, and most of her art will be priced at $10 each with larger pieces costing a bit more. I’m already the proud owner of one of her Ducks. If you want to own an Irene Schmidt original, and meet the artist in person, you should plan on getting there early before she sells out.
Irene has been in the area most of her life. She was born in Hutto, then moved to Thrall and Manor before landing in Taylor. She graduated from Taylor High School in 1949. Two of her best friends in high school were Laverne Heine Eulenfeld, also from the Class of 1949, and Janell Kunz Rohlack from the Class of 1950.
A favorite memory is the three of them being in each other’s weddings.
Irene and her husband Milton Harold Schmidt had the Circleville Hoedown Club for several years. Through the years, she also worked at the Finesilver Manufacturing Co., a clothing factory in San Antonio while her husband was in the service. Then he worked for Louis Shanks Furniture while she worked for Montgomery Ward in Austin.
I’m not sure how I missed knowing Irene over the years, but I’m sure glad I had the opportunity of meeting her now. Many thanks to her for sharing about the pecan factory, and for making the world a happier place with her art.
Join me in two weeks as we take a look at another incredible tale from Taylor. Until then, make it a great week and be proud of where you’re from.
Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners.
com.
