Slaton Bakery to celebrate 100th birthday with festivities

The Slaton Bakery will celebrate its centennial celebration June 10 from noon-6 p.m. at the Bakery.

There will be free food, games and live music.

The event is free for everyone to attend.

The event was a century in the making.

It was opened in 1923, and changed hands 10 times in 20 years.

Barney and Ollie Mae Wilson actually fell in love in a bakery in Kileen and bought the store in 1943 from their employer.

“Grandad was a baker after their farm was acquired by what is now Fort Hood,” said Chad Wilson. “Together they raised a family of six and ran the bakery for 30 years until 1973.”

It had a rough start for the Wilsons in the 1940s, as they saw a variety of hardships and changes.

Among these included rationing done during World War II of items such as sugar and flour, and other struggles.

Even during the Civil Rights era, C. Wilson said the bakery took a stand by supplying businesses minority businesses, when other businesses in the area would not.

Items  such as thumbprint cookies were added to the menu.

The Bakery was then bought by Robin and Sherrill Wilson in 1973 and have run it the past 46 years.

Some changes since that time have included the move to the bakery to where it now resides on City Square.

They too faced some struggles, such as small towns fading in 1982, but C. Wilson added that had not been the case anymore for the bakery.

Additions such as homemade tortillas were added. C. Wilson said they were the first in West Texas to sell them commercially and they are one of the best selling products.

Today, they have received guests from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.