Page 39 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021- Online Magazine

LOCAL HISTORY

Guest reading about the history
of the saving of the Harvey House

1920s era photo of a packed Historic caboose has been restored inside and
parking lot at the Harvey House out for visitors at the Slaton Harvey House

memories. I grew can imagine that you are in the early days of the last
up in Chicago century.
Heights, Illinois.
My grandparents, the Jaegers, had a big, two-story There are many things that you can do at the Harvey
white house near the Michigan Central RR tracks. My House. Hold a reunion or have a wedding in the main
early memories are of standing on the sidewalk as a dining room. Hold a birthday celebration. You can
huge black steam engine, hauling freight, thundered have a nice meal at your event; there is a complete
by. kitchen where you can prepare the meal.
The Harvey Houses were designed to fit the Whether you choose to spend a night at the B&B, host
locale. The Slaton Harvey House has a distinctive a get together, or simply visit the museum, you will
southwestern style called Mission Revival. You say, “That was time well spent.”
approach the Harvey House along aptly named
Railroad Avenue. There are hundreds of freight
cars parked in the rail yard. As you near the Harvey
House, you spot the two-story building painted a
sandy brown with red trim. There is a beautifully
restored, 1900s, red Santa Fe caboose by the parking
lot. Visitors can go inside and see the traveling office,
equipped with a desk, bunks, and a coal-burning
stove.
The spacious dining room is painted gold, yellow,
and rose. The trim is dark brown wood. At one time,
there was a long, u-shaped counter that could seat
42 diners. At the top of the stairs is a comfortable
common room overlooking the rail yard. You can
brew a cup of coffee and read or train watch, or you
may want to play a board game, cards, or dominoes
at the large antique table. Texas Country Reporter,
Bob Phillips, did a walk through the Harvey House. The Slaton Harvey House
You can view that video on the Slaton Harvey House is a restored 1912 Fred
website: slatonharveyhouse.com. Harvey Eating House just 15
miles from Lubbock. It serves
If you decide to spend the night, you have a choice as a Bed & Breakfast Inn & SLATON
of five rooms decorated in 1920’s design. Each room trackside railroad museum.
has its unique style. One room has an authentic Santa Each comfortable room is Harvey House
Fe conductor’s jacket and cap. The pictures on the era-appropriate. Plan your
walls depict southwestern scenes used to advertise visit soon!
travel on the Santa Fe. Awake to a breakfast prepared
specially for your taste. Shut your eyes, and you 400 Railroad Ave. • Slaton, Texas 79364
www.slatonharveyhouse.com • 806.828.5900

Lubbock Senior Link 39