Preservation of The Dryer Presses On
Yesterday, the iconic concrete rice dryers that punctuate the rich history of the City of Katy were given a piece of its history back.
City of Katy officials and council members, along with representatives from the Katy Heritage Society, Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, Katy Beer Garden and many others, came together the celebrate the Cardiff family legacy with the installation of a replica J.V. Cardiff & Sons sign affixed to the dryers facing Highway 90. Several members of the Cardiff family were in attendance to commemorate the installation.
The Dryer has an 80-year history dating back to 1943, when the Cardiff family built the first concrete rice dryer in Texas. After a couple of expansions and success in their family business, the Cardiff's set off to build their largest and tallest rice dryer in 1966, standing at 177 feet tall upon completion. To this day, this rice dryer remains the tallest structure in Katy, Richmond and Rosenberg.
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Rice production continued until 1987, when operations ceased and the property sat unused and without purpose. Ownership of the property has changed hands a few times since operations came to an end, but the property remained unchanged until a local developer purchased it in 2021. The Katy Heritage Society was recruited to join the effort to restore The Dryer and breathe new life into the property, which is slated to become a new destination for Katy families with the opening of a museum, community play area, children's playground, and the Katy Beer Garden this year. The Katy Beer Garden will feature a 25,000 square foot indoor/outdoor beer garden shaded by majestic 45' oak trees and will offer a diverse selection of beer, wine, cider, and a full cocktail program. |
"The hum of the dryers may not ever be heard in Katy again, but the legacy of the Cardiff family can live on. Today is a huge step towards the preservation of the property," said a representative from the Katy Heritage Society.
Preservation of The Dryer has been made possible thanks to support and collaboration from the Katy Heritage Society, the City of Katy and the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. To follow development of this project, please visit thedryer.com or follow their Facebook page.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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