May 20 2002 - Town of Austin

Town of Austin (72.2002.9)
Austin
Scott County, Indiana

View the annotated text for this marker.

Historical Marker Text:

Jeffersonville Railroad construction began 1848, completed through here 1852. First station built on this site circa 1853 with two wood yards nearby for fuel. Official plat of Austin recorded 1853. Tradition is that town named by Mexican-American War veterans who used land vouchers given for service; several had served in Austin, Texas.

Early industries were timber-related with several saw and stave mills, which produced materials for ship building and made millions of barrel staves before the large trees were depleted. Food canning then became the major industry. In 1899, J.S. Morgan and others opened first cannery, which developed into national supplier of canned foods.

Dedicated May 20, 2002 . Austin in 1889 from Centennial History of Austin, Scott County, Indiana by Dr. Carl R. Bogardus.