Slaton in Lubbock County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Slaton
The Pecos and Northern Texas branch of the Santa Fe Railroad line reached Slaton in May 1911, one month after the first town lots were sold. The official opening day of Slaton was held on June 15, 1911, when the first of Santa Fe's four daily passenger trains arrived.
Slaton grew rapidly as the railroad established a division point here which included a Harvey House, roundhouse, machine shops, and a two-story freight and passenger depot. A post office was opened in 1911 with Annie Higbee as postmistress. Buildings were quickly erected on the square as businesses were established. The Santa Fe hired Dr. Samuel Houston Adams as surgeon for the Slaton Division.
Slaton was incorporated in 1912. R. J. Murray was elected mayor, and Joe H. Teague, Sr., served as first city marshal. Located in one of Texas' foremost agricultural regions, Slaton continues to have an economy based on ranching and farming.
Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4947.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1911.
Location. 33° 26.26′ N, 101° 38.635′ W. Marker is in Slaton, Texas, in Lubbock County. Marker is at the intersection of South 9th Street and West Garza Street, on the left when traveling south on South 9th Street. Marker is located in the northwest corner of city square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 South 9th Street, Slaton TX 79364, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Slaton Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); Engine 1809 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Slaton Volunteer Fire Department (about 600 feet away); Slaton Harvey House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mercy Hospital (approx. ¾ mile away); Englewood Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Immanuel Lutheran Church (approx. 4.9 miles away); Ransom Canyon (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Slaton.
Also see . . . Slayton, Texas.
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. (Submitted on March 18, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 18, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.