Sherman in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Washington Iron Works, Inc.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 15, 2023

1. Washington Iron Works, Inc. Marker

Inscription. In 1875 Solon Totten (1847-1932) made two horseback trips to Texas from Quincy, Ilinois, searching for better conditions for the family blacksmith business. Finding stage companies operating out of Sherman which required blacksmith services, he persuaded his father and family to move here. In 1876 Solon and his brother Levi Totten (1844-1915) opened "Totten Bros. Blacksmith" on Cherry Street. The business made wheels for freight wagons and stagecoaches and repaired the vehicles.

L.L. Roussel, Adolph and Max Seisfeld, Noah Swain and Levi and Solon Totten were the original stockholders. The name changed in 1881 to "Washington Iron Works". In 1890 the firm moved to East Lamar Street and settled here. By 1893 the Totten brothers and their father Joseph (1821-1906) gained full ownership. It remains in the Totten family. After 1904 Solon operated the company with his sons Harry (1877-1964) and Jesse (1880-1946) until he retired in 1922. Harold Totten (1900-1969) ran the company with his father Harry after Jesse's death.

The foundry section closed in 1938. During World War II, the shop made gun barrel molds. This industry,

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the oldest in Sherman, has expanded to a worldwide service for oil and gas processing, petrochemical plants, power generation and marine interests.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11552.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 33° 38.171′ N, 96° 36.355′ W. Marker is in Sherman, Texas, in Grayson County. It is at the intersection of East Lamar Street (Texas Route 56) and South Branch Street, on the right when traveling east on East Lamar Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 318 E Lamar Street, Sherman TX 75090, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 15, 2023

2. Washington Iron Works, Inc. Marker

are within walking distance of this marker: 1924 Masonic Temple (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Sherman Public Library (about 700 feet away); Odd Fellows Hall (about 800 feet away); Dannel Funeral Home (about 800 feet away); Walnut Street Church of Christ (approx. 0.2 miles away); Japanese Model 92 (approx. 0.2 miles away); President Roosevelt's Visit to Grayson County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stone from Old Ox Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sherman.

February 24, 2026

3. Washington Iron Works, Inc. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on February 24, 2026. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.