Full of history and character, Devine’s Mill and Elevator has stood tall in downtown Devine for over 100 years…
After seeing it in disrepair for so many years, many in the community are excited to learn of the plans to not only renovate and make it safe, but the possibility of restoring it to the centerpiece of Devine that it once was, celebrating our city’s history, roots, character, and charm.
“To me, it’s Devine’s skyline,” said one Devine resident.
Jesse Hernandez, of Felipe’s Tire Shop, now owns the property where Devine Mill and Elevator is located and he hopes to preserve the iconic building as much as possible.
“I want to use one side of the building for a tire shop, and I’d love to see the other side of the building restored if possible, back to how it was or as close to the same as possible,” Hernandez said. “I just need to see if we can get a grant for that, and time to get it done.”
They are in the process of searching for resources like historic grants, an engineer, and a licensed contractor to “shore” it up to make it safe so construction and renovations can safely begin, aided by grants.
The Devine Historical Committee submitted a beautiful piece on the history of the building and ideas to restore it to its former glory including a sketch by a local artist of a large cactus mural down the east side along the tracks. (See articles and photo inside)
Though it was recently roped off, City Administrator David Jordan explained, “The word condemned does not necessarily mean the building has to be destroyed. If the building is repaired and determined to be structurally sound by a certified structural engineer, then the Devine Volunteer Fire Department can re-inspect and clear the facility.”
“After consultation with Fire Chief Greg Atkinson, a decision was made to deem the building uninhabitable,” a press release from Jordan stated. “The city nor the Devine Volunteer Fire Department has any desire to demolish one of the oldest historical landmarks in the City of Devine, however we must ensure the building is in compliance.”
He adds, “To preserve this landmark, the city is looking into ways we can potentially partner with the owner, the historical society, and the community on how we can assist in the research of historical preservation grants.”
In 1922, the editor of The Devine News highlighted the many businesses that helped build this town. One of those businesses, at the heart of the community’s livelihood, was Devine’s Mill & Elevator.
Historic articles in The Devine News highlight the excitement of the community when “dirt was broken” on the mill “going up by the railroad tracks”.
“With thousands of acres of fine corn ripening in our territory and preparations made, Devine has every prospect that a town with 10,000 acres irrigated lands and 50,000 acres dry lands could wish, at least in this part of Texas.”
“Opportunity is knocking at Devine’s door and where we had ten corn wagons $500 last year, we shall have 20 wagons and $1,000 this year. The great and burning question now is ‘Good Roads” to let the farmers get here with his stuff.”
Two years later, in 1922, a Devine News article documented how the Devine Mill and (corn) Elevator is one of the landmark businesses that built this town.
“These little things though they be, are what make a town and bring more people and businesses to town. Ice Plant, Bottling Works, Broom Factory, Stream Pressing, Corn Elevators, Good Cotton Gins, Grist Mills, Machine shops with welding and vulcanizing, etc, etc…..We are going to make a city here yet in spite of knockers. Just watch us.”
Located in such a prominent spot, the Devine Historical Committee and many others say preserving Devine Mill and Elevator would go a long way in maintaining community character, charm, and history for many future generations to come. Preservation and re-purposing could also at the same time provide ample opportunity to harvest the value of this historic landmark leading to economic development.
(See presentation given in separate article on front page about the old Pearl Brewery development.)
Greg Atkinson, Devine Fire Chief comments:
“Yes, Devine Fire issued the uninhabitable letter under the state adopted code of nfpa 101 life safety code. The state gave that authority to the state Marshals office, who gave that authority to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which is ESD 2, who by contract gave that authority to me. I taped it off because I don’t want anyone hurt. This has nothing to do with the city and is not the first building we have done this to. The city wants to save the co-op, but it takes funding. I am all for that, but in it’s current state, it is a danger to anyone who doesn’t know what they are doing. I’d love to see grants save it. To be clear, we are NOT wanting it demolished, just fixed correctly where no one gets hurt.”
“The co-op isn’t a city code violation. It’s a collapse hazard covered under state code NPFA 101 life safety. It is uninhabitable in its current state until an engineer tells me otherwise. I do not want to see it demolished, but I definitely do not want to see someone killed. We have already rescued individuals from that building and have been lucky that no one has been seriously injured. If the property owner can get a company to properly renovate it with commercial contractors, I’d gladly allow that to happen. However, it is hard to argue that in its current state, it is safe for anyone to go into who does not know exactly what they are doing.”
A 1915 Devine News article shows the excitement surrounding the mill and elevator and the boost to the economy that it brought. Perhaps this landmark so rich in history has the potential to once again be a boost to the economic development of Devine. This idea and 3D renderings were proposed in a study done several years ago by UTSA, if you recall.
Representatives from UTSA’s Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research and the Rural Business Program presented a vision plan for the future of Devine back in 2017. Bert Moyer, a Research Assistant with the Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research, took the lead on the presentation, explaining that it was designed as ideas for City leadership and community stakeholders regarding future development.
Those other projects included beautification of downtown Devine as well as the 173 corridor, the extension of sidewalks to make downtown pedestrian-friendly, and the restoration of historic buildings.
“You guys have a wealth of historic buildings, and they’re assets to the community,” Moyer said. “The problem is that once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.”
He pointed to the refurbished Pearl Brewery complex in San Antonio as a template for what could be done with buildings in downtown Devine, specifically the unused grain silo across the street from the Driscoll Public Library.
“We think that’s a great facility that could be turned into something very wonderful, I believe,” Moyer said. “[The Pearl Brewery] is on a much larger scale, but they have created this food/mall mecca, and now people are coming in from all over, so there’s a lot of potential. Of course the scale is a little bit different…but that’s your gateway, that’s one of the first things you see when you come to Devine.”
A 2022 article by the SA Report highlights “ How a historic brewery transformed the city.” According to that article, an estimated 7,000 people visit the Pearl to shop at the weekend farmer’s market, about 3,000 on summer movie nights, and several hundred for Sunset Sessions and other seasonal performances.
The building at the old mill in Devine has multiple sections with large rooms separated by concrete walls with ample space for multiple uses.
Experts suggest Historic Development could breathe new life into city, revisiting ideas presented…
A 1915 Devine News article shows the excitement surrounding the mill and elevator and the boost to the economy that it brought. Perhaps this landmark so rich in history has the potential to once again be a boost to the economic development of Devine. This idea and 3D renderings were proposed in a study done several years ago by UTSA, if you recall.
Representatives from UTSA’s Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research and the Rural Business Program presented a vision plan for the future of Devine back in 2017. Bert Moyer, a Research Assistant with the Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research, took the lead on the presentation, explaining that it was designed as ideas for City leadership and community stakeholders regarding future development.
Those other projects included beautification of downtown Devine as well as the 173 corridor, the extension of sidewalks to make downtown pedestrian-friendly, and the restoration of historic buildings.
“You guys have a wealth of historic buildings, and they’re assets to the community,” Moyer said. “The problem is that once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.”
He pointed to the refurbished Pearl Brewery complex in San Antonio as a template for what could be done with buildings in downtown Devine, specifically the unused grain silo across the street from the Driscoll Public Library.
“We think that’s a great facility that could be turned into something very wonderful, I believe,” Moyer said. “[The Pearl Brewery] is on a much larger scale, but they have created this food/mall mecca, and now people are coming in from all over, so there’s a lot of potential. Of course the scale is a little bit different…but that’s your gateway, that’s one of the first things you see when you come to Devine.”
A 2022 article by the SA Report highlights ” How a historic brewery transformed the city.” According to that article, an estimated 7,000 people visit the Pearl to shop at the weekend farmer’s market, about 3,000 on summer movie nights, and several hundred for Sunset Sessions and other seasonal performances.
Read more about the history of Devine Mill & Elevator click the link: https://devinenews.com/hometown-history-more-than-meets-the-eye/