 A third brick company was established in the town in the mid-1950s, lured by the high-quality clay deposits in the area.In addition to the brick plants, a local sausage factory processed thousands of pounds of beef and pork a week; Elgin Hot Sausage continued to enjoy a widespread reputation, and Elgin rapidly became the most important agricultural center in Bastrop County.Five cotton gins and a cotton oil mill were in operation at the same time.