Slaton, Texas

History

Slaton was named for Lubbock rancher and banker O.L. Slaton, Sr. (1867–1946), who promoted railroad construction in Slaton.

Geography

Slaton is on the level plains of the Llano Estacado. The nearest significant geographical feature is Yellow House Canyon, which is 3 miles (5 km) to the north and east. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 5.5 square miles (14.3 km²), of which 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km²), or 0.56%, is water.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Slaton has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,109 people, 2,253 households, and 1,610 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,126.7 people per square mile (435.2/km²). There were 2,565 housing units at an average density of 473.1 per square mile (182.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.35% White, 7.76% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 17.07% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.27% of the population.

There were 2,253 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city, the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 83.7 men.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,915, and the median income for a family was $31,224. Males had a median income of $26,696 versus $20,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,087. About 21.6% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Harvey House of Slaton

In 1912, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, through reorganization now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, opened a depot in Slaton. Until 1969, the train station offered passengers meals and hospitality through the Fred Harvey Company. The company advertised for "Young women, 18 to 30 years of age, of good moral character, attractive and intelligent, as waitresses in the Havey Eating Houses on the Santa Fe Railroad in the West."

Other ATSF depots were in Amarillo, Brownwood, Gainesville, Temple, El Paso, and Clovis, New Mexico. After the passenger service ended, the railroad used the depot, located at 400 Railroad Avenue, for offices, training rooms, train crew staging areas, and storage, but abandoned the building in the late 1980s. The railroad still passes by the depot. The remaining structure, known as the Harvey House, was marked for demolition, but a citizens' committee launched a nearly two-decade effort to preserve and restore it. The former depot, which calls itself "The Jewel on the Plains", can be rented for parties with catered meals and occasional entertainment options. The upstairs, which was the living quarters of the Harvey girls when it was a restaurant in the early 20th Century, is now a fully operational bed and breakfast. The downstairs hosts a small railroad collection museum. The West Texas Historical Association toured the Harvey House during its 2009 annual meeting in Lubbock.

Art on the Square

Several new art galleries and antique shops are on the square surrounding City Hall. Some are only open limited hours and for special events but several are open for extended hours. Multiplicity Art Gallery opened May 2012 and has art in a diverse range of styles and every price range. This modern gallery is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 1-5 pm. MAG also plays host to workshops and classes. SouthPaws and the Antique Mall are also open for extended hours.

Education

The City of Slaton is served by the Slaton Independent School District.

Major roads and highways

Special events

The Caprock Classic Car Club Show and Cruise takes place every third Saturday in July. The annual event showcases classic and refurbished cars and trucks. Set up around the town square, the event includes music, arts and crafts, food and more. visit www.slatonchamberofcommerce.org. The July 4th Festival takes place at the Slaton Park where area musicians perform on an outdoor stage. The park is filled with games, rides food and more. The South Plains Air Show is a bi-annual event taking place the first weekend of June in odd number years. Hosted by the Texas Air Museum Caprock Chapter the show takes place at the Slaton Municipal Airport. Re-enactments and aerobatic performances are scheduled. visit www.thetexasairmuseum.org. The St. Joseph Sausage Fest is put on every October by St. Joseph's Catholic School. The event has been held annually since 1969 and is the school's primary fundraiser. Volunteers make 8,000-9,500 pounds of sausage to sell at the weekend-long event.

Notable people