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History in
a Pecan Shell
Eli Stilson and
J. I. Case (manufacturer of farm machinery) were original owners.
The land was bought in 1901 by Herbert L. Kokernot who encouraged
settlement, but the town didn’t really come into being until the Santa
Fe Railroad establish a round house. A post office was established
by 1910 and the railroad purchased the townsite the following year.
The town was named in honor of rancher O. L. Slaton, who promised
to establish a bank. Slaton was the center of the largest division
in the Santa Fe system and as company employees and their families
moved to Slaton, it boosted the population. The town also had a Harvey
House restaurant – one that is in the process of being restored.
By 1931 Slaton had a population of 3,876 and by 1949 it was 3,587.
In the late 1960s the Santa Fe began shutting down operations at Slaton
and moved offices to Lubbock,
Amarillo, and New
Mexico. Slaton lost both residents and retail trade, though a
slow, steady growth continued through the 1960s. In 1970 the population
was 7,250 by 1988 it had declined insignificantly to 6,950.
Slaton
Landmarks & Attractions:
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"Located on
the corner of 9th & Garza. This large mural was designed by Bill "Tex"
Wilson capturing a nostalgic moment in the heritage of Slaton."
- Leslie Robinson, Slaton Chamber of Commerce.
Photographer's Note:
"The mural on
9th and Garza was in need of restoration last April. Then, when
we were through there on the last trip it had been redone. It is very
attractive. Note the red pickup is still parked in exactly the same
spot six months later." - Barclay
Gibson |
More
Slaton, Texas Attractions:
Slaton
Museum: 155
N. 8th Street
Texas
Air Museum:
2 miles N. of town on FM 400 at Slaton
Municipal
Airport
Slaton
Hotels
Slaton Chamber of Commerce:
161 E. Texas Avenue - 806-828-6238
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| Jimmy
Dobson Photo, July 2017 |
Candy
Shops and Crossbones; Slaton, Texas 1920s
by James Villanueva
In the early 1920’s, Slaton was a thriving city with a population
of more than 6,000 and various candy shops and confectioneries fought
and competed over satisfying Slaton’s sweet tooth... more |
The
Tar and Feathering of Father Joseph M. Keller, Slaton, Texas, 1920's
by James Villanueva
On a Saturday night, March 4, 1922, in Slaton, what may have begun
as a whisper, an aside, a comment, or just mindless chatter amongst
neighbors, transformed the community and introduced an air of instability
and perilous paranoia... more |
Post
War Slaton - A Migrant Family's Story
by James Villanueva
In Slaton, Ben showed Delfina the town surrounded by cotton. He showed
her the town square, the small shops, and the movie theaters that
had welcomed thousands before. Two years after World War II had ended,
the town had returned to its small and humble atmosphere. The troops
that once passed through by train were now long gone and were only
memories in post-war Slaton. “I would like to stay here,” Ben said
to his wife as the two discovered the town... |
Slaton, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Slaton, Texas Mural
An addition to your mural list.
Slaton Heritage Mural Located on the corner of 9th & Garza. This
large mural was designed by Bill "Tex" Wilson capturing a nostalgic
moment in the heritage of Slaton. "Tex" Wilson grew up here and
is a nationally esteemed artist whose works feature railroaders
and cowboys of the Old West. Prints of the Mural are available at
the Slaton Chamber of Commerce at 200 W. Garza, 806-828-6238 or
The Slatonite Newspaper, P. O. Box 667, Slaton, Texas 79364, 806-828-6201.
They also have many other prints by "Tex" Wilson available. I have
attached photos of the mural and the print. - Leslie Robinson, October
13, 2006
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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