Slaton Railroad Heritage Association
updated July 17, 2005
official web page of the
SLATON HARVEY HOUSE
restoration project
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The Slaton Railroad Heritage Association (SRHA) is a 501-(c)-(3) not-for-profit organization formed in 1990 to preserve, and develop the Slaton Harvey House for community use. The SRHA currently has more than 200 members and has raised more than $1.5 million towards its goal of $2,000,000 for the project. The SRHA is governed entirely by a volunteer, uncompensated, Board of Directors elected from the membership.
The city of Slaton was created as a Division point for the Santa Fe railroad in 1911. The Harvey House was built in 1912 and was one of Fred Harvey's chain of restaurants (immortalized in the 1946 movie Harvey Girls starring Judy Garland), which were ubiquitous to the Santa Fe system. It served as a restaurant for 30 years until the early 1940's. It was later used as a passenger depot until the termination of rail service in Slaton in 1969. Of the Santa Fe structures in Slaton, including the original depot, Santa Fe reading room, roundhouse and shop complex, the Harvey House and adjoining cook's cabin are the only remaining structures.
Another symbol of Slaton's railroad heritage is Santa Fe 2-6-2 steam locomotive #1809. The engine, built in 1906 by the Burnham division of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, has been on display in the downtown square since being donated to the city of Slaton in 1956.
The SRHA is restoring the Harvey House dining room to its original configuration. It will serve as a public facility and Fred Harvey museum. The second floor bedrooms are being reconstructed in order to support a bed & breakfast inn operation.
The SRHA has future plans to acquire rolling stock for
display. For information about tours and operating hours contact:
Tony Privett
Slaton Railroad Heritage Association
806-780-5496
tonyprivett@hotmail.com
Photos of Other Railroad Structures in Slaton
Donations Being Sought Brick Paver $100 gift A 4" X 8" brick with one name located along a sidewalk on the grounds of the Harvey House
Floor Plaque $500 gift A 12" X 12" plaque set into the ground in the area leading to the building entrance with up to two names Life Member $1,000 gift 12" X 12" brass plaque located on a wall inside the Harvey House Donations of Harvey House memorabilia are actively being sought and are tax deductible.
Slaton Railroad Heritage Association
830 S. 21st ~ Slaton ~ Texas ~ 79364
JOIN US ~ Annual Membership ($25)