Texas Basket Company -- A Little Off Center of Quilting

Our adventure (I know some of you call it a vacation) begins today.  We are on the way to Louisiana, but I read about The Texas Basket Company in Jacksonville, TX and since it's on our way . . .  The only downside is that today is a Saturday and the factory is not operating.  However, that doesn't stop us from looking around.

Peek down between the buildings.  I want to go further back there ---- drat.

Into the gift shop and baskets are piled up everywhere!!!

AND signs about tomatoes.  Jacksonville is known as the "Tomato Capital of the World" from a time when the area was a huge producer and shipper of tomatoes.  In fact, these giant tomatoes are all over the city.

I even spot a spinning wheel.

Now to get a little closer.  Can I?

OMG --- sooooo many baskets.

I find the path to the observation windows and even though no one is working, the doors are open.  Woot woot.  Now for some information to share:  "Most of the machinery used here at Texas Basket Company dates back to the 1930s.  Originally made to be powered from steam, these machines still are used today and kept in good working order by our machine shop, even machine formed baskets involve a large portion of individual handwork.  Many of the baskets made by Texas Basket Company are made entirely by hand."

"Texas Basket Company makes over 500 different types, sizes, and colors of baskets.  There are over 125 people employed at Texas Basket Company year round."   Wow!!!

"Texas Basket Company has been in operation since 1919.  It is locally owned and manufactures between 6,000 and 13,000 baskets per day (over 3 million baskets per year).  Who would have known?  I am shocked that so many baskets are needed -- are they not reusable?

Some finishes stacked up ---

A slight update (11/14)--- we stopped by again on our way home and the factory was operating, but it was late in the day and we missed it again, however, we did see the baskets coming out from the dryer -- here's a glimpse.

If you live nearby, take a day trip and check it out --- during the week --- it's worth it.