Historical Homes of Slaton, Texas
Historical Homes of Slaton, Texas is a big topic because, in this small town, there are very likely scores of old houses. We look for houses built on or before 1945. Some of the finest of these stretch along West Garza and Lubbock Streets, but they are all over the West Park Addition, the Original Town, and the South Park Addition, and scattered about most of the rest of Slaton. They range from Sears kit Houses to stately and elaborate homes. No doubt many of them have interesting stories as do the people who build and raised families in them. Many were railway workers who came to Slaton because of the Santa Fe Railway.
Currently, this page is just starting out and we lack much of the stories that accompany these few houses, so this will be a living page, added to frequently with both more detail and more homes.
Historic Homes of West Park
415 w. Garza Built im 1913
The First and at this point oldest house on our list is one at 415 W. Garza, currently owned by Jared and Karly Warsing, who purchased the house about five years ago from James Westley Kitten. Prior to that, it was owned by Jim Estes, who at one point was the Chief of police in Slaton, but unfortunately, that’s where the information ends.
According to historical records, the house was originally 1,913 Square Feet when built in 1913. The records indicated that most of the additions to the house occurred in 2016 when 572 square feet were added to the main house. A storage area of 180 square feet and an apartment of 220 Square feet were also added at that time. The apartment is currently being used as a woodworking shop, but in the past was also used as an office.
625 W. Garza Built in 1919
Today, the house dating to 1919 and owned by Jordan C and Linda Hodges at 625 West Garza Street is not only one of the oldest Houses in Slaton, but one we also have a little history about. This home is probably referenced by Bonnie Abel Deering in the Slaton Story on page 33 when she says that they moved into town in 1919. “Dad purchased what was then called the Old Whitehead place from his friend, Fred Whitehead, who was moving into a new home on a street that was later named Garza. He doesn’t get a lot of mention in the book but on page 88, Myrle Edwards, who was married to Walter Edwards, mentions that they lived at 1615 South 7th street, and it was in this area that she recalls Fred Whitehead living in a tent and herding his cattle. The current owner of the property believes that Fred Whitehead owned the entire block at one time and was known as a horse trader.
The house is listed by the appraisal district as consisting of 2916 square feet, including two additions to the home all of which were built in 1919.
505 W Garza Built in 1922
The home of Francisco and Brittney Loera was apparently in very bad condition and has been extensively rebuilt, but it is one of the oldest homes I have found so far in Slaton. Interestingly, the contractor who remodeled the home also did several others in the area, and left his calling card, a horseshoe above the front door, on the houses that he remodeled.
The home has 1791 square feet, a garage, and a large porch wrapping half of the house. Several others have owned the house, including Jay Roof, Jack Thompson, Michael Hirachet, and Isodora Hirachet. However, we do not know who the original builder was now.
905 W Garza St. Built in 1927
The current owner of this property, Maybelle Kerns, believes that the house was probably built by Zeke Baldwin, who was a local attorney with an office over one of the buildings on the north side of the town square. Originally, it did not have a porch around the front door as it does now. She has lived in the house for many years.
The house has 3590 square feet of living space plus a garage. Some of the interior, such as the staircase near the front door is also original. She was also able to share additional information on the home built in 1935 and listed here as 1025 W. Garas Street which was apparently built by her family.
705 W. Garza Built in 1935
This home is owned by Billy R. Strickland Jr. and Kristyn and is located at 705 W Garza Street in Slaton, Texas. Its earliest structure dates to 1935. But for the garage which was built in 1990, much of the rest of the house dates to 1936. It has beautiful and unusual brickwork of different colors and shapes and gorgeous window treatment. Regrettably, we do not have the full history of the house, though Jimmy and Sandra Williams and Jimmy D. Ross.
The house is 3,100 square feet with an apartment and garage indicated to each be 704 square feet.
1025 W. Garza Built in 1935
The Jack L and Kaylee A Chancellor home at 1025 W Garza Street in Slaton, Texas dates to 1935. It is a relatively small and simple home with wonderful highlights such as the rounded front portal and door, along with accenting brickwork, and a classic chimney.
We need the original builder for this house though we know that prior owners include Mary M Pember, Johnny D Bailey, and Danny M and Mavia Bailey
The house measures 1610 square feet with a 720 square foot shop that was built in 1949.
1000 W. Lubbock Built in 1937
The Guinn home at 1000 W. Lubbock Street in Slaton is a beautiful home that we have very little information about, other than that it was built in 1937 according to tax records. Those records provide no information on prior ownership. All parts of the house show to have been built in 1937, including the main home of 2,160 Square Feet, a garage of 360 Square Feet, a small apartment of 180 Square Feet, and storage of 216 square feet.
Currently owned by Elise Guinn Nowlin, the house has been emaculantly maintained, including the yard.
905 W. Lubbock Built in 1941
The house, we refer to as the Norris Home after we are told its original owner, is now owned by Bobby Joe Harlan. It is located at 905 W Lubbock St. in Slaton, Texas. Once again, we have very little of its history. The original part of this lovely house appears to be a 416-square-foot apartment that was built in 1941. Most of the rest of the house, consisting of 2,721 square feet was built in 1948, with the exception of an area of 160 square feet built in 1999. Records indicate that another apartment of 160 square feet was built in 1948.