Seventeen miles northwest of Austin on Cypress Creek, two miles from its junction with the Colorado river, was another powder mill. It was known as Anderson Mill, because Thomas Anderson previously had erected a grist mill at the site. On the records of the Military Board it was known as the Travis Powder Company. The powder mill was built in the early part of 1863, The records indicate- that saltpeter and sulphur were furnished the mill on March 2I of that year, apparently when it was ready to start operations.

Thomas Anderson, the owner of the land, was the first superintendent. But on June 14, 1864, an agreement was signed between the Military Board and Nichols Hays, superintendent. The agreement also was signed by 'W', H. D. Carrington, principal owner. It was agreed that the company was to make rifle powder for the state, except such as the Board might authorise it to sell for necessary articles to carry on the work. It further was agreed that the Board was to pay one dollar per pound for the powder, payment to be in specie. All articles furnished by the Board were to be paid for in powder. Concerning the Travis Powder Company, the Military Board reported: "Mr. H. D. Carrington and his associates are now erecting a powder rnill, and the Board have entered into contract to supply them with a certain amount of saltpeter and sulphur to be repaid in powder of approved quality, at the -rate of $1.75 per pound."