Brewing a Legacy: William Davis Cleveland and the Texas Coffee Revolution

Few stories capture the resilient spirit of Texas entrepreneurship like that of William Davis Cleveland. Serving as a purchasing agent for the Confederacy during the Civil War, Cleveland began his long journey in commerce even amid conflict. After the war, he settled in Houston, Texas, where he founded W.D. Cleveland & Co.—a wholesale grocery and cotton business that played a vital role in the city’s economic resurgence. His post-war success not only reestablished his fortunes but also helped lay the groundwork for Houston’s future as a commercial hub.

Cleveland’s early involvement with the Confederacy is part of his complex legacy. His service during the war set the stage for the skills and networks he would later use to rebuild and diversify his business. Once in Houston, he quickly transitioned from wartime logistics to peacetime enterprise, using his experience to help stabilize and grow the local economy.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Cleveland later ventured into the burgeoning coffee industry. By 1894, his company began manufacturing roasted coffee under the Apex brand—a forward-thinking move that tapped into an emerging market. In 1907, he helped launch the International Coffee Company of Galveston, a decisive step that allowed him to expand into coffee roasting and distribution. Recognizing Houston’s potential as a gateway for international trade, Cleveland constructed a new, state-of-the-art facility at Allen’s Landing. This building, now known as the Sunset Coffee Building, was designed to roast premium coffee sourced from Central America under the Sunset Coffee label and to distribute it throughout the Southwest.

Cleveland’s influence extended beyond his entrepreneurial ventures. He was an active civic leader—serving as vice president of the Houston Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange and as a director of both the Houston Cotton Exchange and the Houston National Bank. His civic involvement helped shape Houston’s commercial landscape and foster a spirit of community resilience and innovation.

His visionary leadership left an indelible mark on the city. Today, several landmarks in Houston pay tribute to his legacy: Cleveland Park and Cleveland Street honor his contributions to local commerce, while the restored Sunset Coffee Building at Allen’s Landing stands as a living monument to his role in establishing Houston as a key player in the coffee trade.

Through calculated risks and a pioneering spirit, William Davis Cleveland transformed the local economy—bridging the worlds of cotton, groceries, and coffee—and helped connect Houston to international markets. Every cup of coffee that carries the rich, aromatic flavors inspired by his ventures is a reminder of the transformative power of vision and perseverance.

In celebrating William Davis Cleveland, we honor not only a man who navigated the complexities of his time—from Confederate service to post-war rebirth—but also a legacy that continues to shape our commercial and community spirit in Houston today.