Slaton, Texas, Lubbock County. (original) (raw)
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:
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." - 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." -
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
Jimmy Dobson Photo, July 2017
Slaton, Texas Chronicles
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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