HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Rockwell Lumber Company Office Building

Slaton, Lubbock County, Texas

Marker Inscription

In 1911, Rockwell Brothers and Co. purchased land from the Pecos and Northern (part of the Santa Fe) Railway for the construction of a lumberyard to serve the new town of Slaton. This two-story vernacular structure was then erected as an office, with living quarters above for the manager and his family. Robert W. Parker was the first manager to occupy the building, which served as the main office until Rockwell closed its Slaton operation in 1941. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1986

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

In 1911 Rockwell Brothers and Co. bought land from the Pecos and Northern (Santa Fe) Railway to open a lumberyard serving the brand-new railroad town of Slaton. This two-story vernacular building housed the company office, with living quarters above for the manager and his family β€” Robert W. Parker being the first to occupy it. It remained the main office until Rockwell closed its Slaton operation in 1941.

Why it matters

Railroad-town lumberyards like this one supplied the materials that literally built the West Texas plains into towns.

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Related people

  • Β· Robert W. Parker

Themes & tags

Nearby & related markers

Slaton

Slaton, TX

Slaton owes its very existence to the Santa Fe Railroad. When the Pecos and Northern Texas branch reached the South Plains in 1911, banker O. L. Slaton β€” who had helped secure the right-of-way β€” lent his name to the brand-new townsite, which opened for business only a month after its first lots sold. As a railroad division point complete with a Harvey House, roundhouse, and machine shops, Slaton boomed almost overnight into a farming and ranching hub.

Slaton Harvey House

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Wilson Mercantile Company

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Post Santa Fe Depot

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