Elgin Texas, The Sausage Capital Of Texas Part I

[Slanted88]

In 1882 when Elgin Texas was established, William Moon started Southside Market (the oldest sausage maker in Texas) by raising and slaughtering animals on FM 1704 in Elgin, TX. He carried the meat into town by horse-drawn wagon and sold it door-to-door. He had to sell it fresh or lose it to spoilage. Therefore, the Smoked Sausage and BBQ was created simply from having fresh meat and no refrigeration. In 1886, Moon opened his first brick and mortar store on Central Ave. In 1908, he sold the business to Lee Wilson who continued to serve the Elgin community as the small town butcher shop that sold BBQ in the back.

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Bud Frazier was a colorful character who worked for Southside from early 1895 – 1971 and witnessed much of our history in the making. Later in life, Frazier told the story of Lee Wilson wanting him to take over and giving him the business, twice. But, the deals never held up. According to Frazier, Southside also changed hands several times at regular Wednesday night card games. He claimed that several Thursday mornings he showed up to work for a new boss. Through luck and persistence, Wilson always maintained ultimate control. That is until he sold the business in 1942.


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On Sept. 1st. 1968, Ernest W. Bracewell, Sr. and wife Adrene bought Southside Market & BBQ. Ernest was born in Stockdale, TX and graduated from high school in Lytle, TX before marrying his high school sweetheart and serving in the Korean War as a U.S. Marine. Later, as a meat salesman for Armour & Co., he called on Southside as one of his clients. After buying Southside, Bracewell delivered meats to area grocers, including a then small H. E. Butt Grocery Co. He also offered Southside’s homemade Elgin Hot Sausage to the stores and the Elgin Hot Gut legend began to grow!

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As of today they have 3 other locations but Kim and I have been to the main one in Elgin where the factory is and where they are smoking up that greatness of linkage..

[Slanted88]

Like the history!

[BYBBQ]

this is a great read