Wilson Mercantile

We continue to examine the various items on display inside.

Were it not for the generosity of Helen and Jenna, I would not be able to show these things.

We are not done with Wilson!
 

More Of Wilson, Texas

It really seemed that I would be restricted to outdoor shots.

But then we met Helen and her granddaughter Jenna. Jenna lived and worked in Lubbock but Helen lived in Wilson. She had keys to the Mercantile Building and she was gracious enough to let us in. 

My wife had a pleasant conversation with Helen and Jenna while I concentrated on taking photos. The contents of this building reminded me of a restoration of Starke's Store in New Braunfels, Texas. New Braunfels has the resources required to do serious historical preservation. Not so easy to accomplish that in a town like Wilson. Wilson is by no means a major tourist destination. You have to appreciate the efforts of folks like Helen, and others of like mind, to preserve a bit of local history.
 

A Second Look At Wilson, Texas

Wilson, not very far from Slaton-- we were impressed by the neatness and cleanliness of the town.

It is probably about the size of Ropes/Ropesville, but what a difference. We took photographs in the downtown area, near the old Wilson Mercantile Building which has been converted to a kind of town hall/meeting room/museum.

 

Wilson, Texas

Wilson is not far from Slaton. You go right on the Slaton highway to avoid the overpass that takes you into downtown Slaton. And then another right at an intersection and in about nine miles you are in Wilson.

We stopped to photograph the first building we saw in Wilson. I had never been there before, but my wife remembered Wilson well. Of course, there had been changes.

Wilson is a very small town, and I think it is safe to say that it is struggling to survive. I thought we would not have much to photograph, but I was wrong.
 

Approaching The End, Of Slaton, Texas

We had a good visit. My wife has bad memories of the place and we would certainly not want to live there, but it does no harm to visit.

It seems, as I've mentioned before, that Slaton is dominated by a few wealthy and prominent families; if you are not connected to one of those families in some way, you are a second class citizen. That was my wife's experience. It sounds rather feudal, and I suppose that is the case.

Well, we are done with this particular look at Slaton, Texas. If you ever visit, be sure to check out the bakery, and the BBQ.