You’ll find Haslam, Texas in Shelby County, where it began as a bustling company town in 1913 under the Pickering Lumber Company. The site featured a 25-acre log pond, state-of-the-art sawmill, and rail lines that supported hundreds of workers and their families. By 1966, the population had dwindled to just 40 residents after timber resources depleted. Today, weathered structures and overgrown foundations tell the story of this once-thriving East Texas lumber community.
Key Takeaways
- Haslam was a thriving lumber company town established in 1913 by Pickering Lumber Company in Shelby County, Texas.
- The town featured a 25-acre log pond, advanced sawmill complex, and company-provided housing for workers and their families.
- Population declined dramatically from 300 residents in the 1950s to 40 by 1966 due to depleted timber resources.
- Today, abandoned structures, weathered houses, and overgrown foundations are scattered across the former town site.
- Visitors can freely explore the quiet grounds, finding historical artifacts among the ruins of this former lumber town.
The Rise of a Lumber Town (1913-1950)
When the Pickering Lumber Company established Haslam in 1913, they created more than just another sawmill – they built a complete company town designed for large-scale timber production.
Haslam wasn’t merely a sawmill operation – it was a visionary company town built to revolutionize industrial timber production.
You’d find a sprawling 25-acre log pond, rail lines reaching deep into the forest, and a state-of-the-art sawmill complex that showcased the latest logging technology. Workers faced hazardous conditions and long hours typical of lumber operations during this era.
As one of Shelby County’s largest lumber operations, Haslam drove significant economic growth throughout East Texas. The W. R. Pickering Company was founded in Springfield, Missouri in 1894.
The company owned 100,000 acres of timberland valued at $2.5 million, with holdings stretching into Louisiana. Supporting “Front Line Camps” like Camp Brittain expanded operations and spawned new communities.
The lumber industry transformed this corner of Texas, turning raw forest into a thriving industrial hub that shaped the region’s destiny through the mid-20th century.
Life in the Mill Community
Behind Haslam’s industrial success lay a meticulously planned company town, designed by Will Haslam to support the bustling lumber operation.
You’d find a 25-acre log pond at the heart of daily operations, while tram roads stretched outward connecting to numerous logging camps. The light plant powered both mill machinery and workers’ homes. Similar to other towns that would later need disambiguation pages, multiple lumber communities across Texas shared the Haslam name.
Daily routines revolved around the mill’s schedule, with workers manning various positions from skilled operators to maintenance crews. Historical preservation efforts continue to document the stories of these early mill communities.
You’d live in company-provided housing, fostering tight community ties among mill families. The town’s social life centered around shared spaces – hotels, offices, and communal areas where workers gathered.
While amenities were basic, including electricity and lodging facilities, the lumber company controlled most aspects of life, from housing to employment.
From Boom to Bust: The Decline Years
Despite its earlier prosperity, Haslam’s decline began as timber resources steadily depleted in the surrounding forests.
Like countless timber towns before it, Haslam withered as the forests that once sustained its prosperity vanished into memory.
You’ll find the first major sign of economic downturn came when the post office closed in 1954, marking the beginning of infrastructure losses that would transform this once-bustling mill town.
The population numbers tell the stark story: from 300 residents in the early 1950s to just 40 by 1966.
While the Toledo Bend Reservoir briefly attracted new residents in the late 1960s, pushing the population above 100, it wasn’t enough to save the town.
Like the ongoing drought that decimated Lobo’s cotton farming community, Haslam’s economic lifeline dried up as natural resources vanished.
As the Pickering Lumber Company’s operations slowed, you’d see widespread community dispersal, with both white and black workers leaving their segregated residential sections behind.
The Macedonia Baptist Church and other community gathering places eventually emptied as businesses shuttered, leaving Haslam a shadow of its former self.
What Remains: A Modern-Day Tour
Today’s visitors to Haslam will find a haunting collection of abandoned structures scattered across the former lumber town’s footprint.
You’ll discover weathered houses still standing amid the East Texas landscape, their broken windows and sagging roofs telling tales of bygone prosperity.
Through overgrown vegetation, you can trace old roadbeds and spot building foundations that once formed the town’s bustling center.
Like many small towns affected by economic changes, Haslam’s population declined as industry and commerce shifted to larger urban centers.
As you explore, you’ll notice historical artifacts like vintage bricks, iron fixtures, and occasional personal items that paint a picture of early 20th-century life.
While there aren’t any formal tours or facilities, you’re free to wander the quiet grounds where nature steadily reclaims the land.
The semi-arid climate has preserved many structures, though without active maintenance, they continue to deteriorate year by year.
Similar to the fate of Red River Station, only scattered remnants hint at the once-thriving community that existed here.
Legacy in East Texas History
Established in 1913 by the Pickering Lumber Company, Haslam stands as a tribute to East Texas’s booming timber industry of the early 20th century. You’ll find its story mirroring countless other lumber towns that rose and fell with the region’s natural resources.
The town’s cultural significance extends beyond its economic impact. From its segregated housing to the enduring Macedonia Baptist Church, Haslam’s remnants tell a complex social story of race relations and company town life. Like many of Texas’s 511 ghost towns, Haslam represents an important chapter in the state’s development. The commissary operated with its own unique currency called doogies for local trade.
The environmental impact of intensive logging ultimately sealed the town’s fate – as timber depleted, so did Haslam’s essence. By 1966, the population had dwindled to just 40 residents.
Today, while most structures have vanished, Haslam’s legacy lives on through oral histories and its role in shaping East Texas’s industrial heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Documented Paranormal Activities or Ghost Stories From Haslam?
You’ll find documented ghost sightings near abandoned buildings, including a crying girl’s spirit, unexplained orbs, and eerie encounters with shadowy figures. EVP sessions have captured mysterious voices and unexplained phenomena.
What Happened to the Machinery and Equipment After the Sawmill Closed?
You’ll find most machinery was dismantled and relocated or sold, following typical East Texas sawmill practices. Equipment repurposing occurred when possible, though some outdated pieces were likely abandoned to deteriorate onsite.
Did Any Notable Crimes or Tragic Events Occur in Haslam?
You won’t find any documented notable crimes or tragic incidents in the historical record. The town’s crime history appears remarkably quiet, showing no evidence of significant violent events or tragedies.
Were There Any Churches or Schools Established During Haslam’s Peak Years?
Like a beacon in the wilderness, Macedonia Baptist Church served your spiritual needs during peak years, but you’d find limited church history and education development beyond that one documented institution.
Did Native American Settlements Exist in the Haslam Area Before Development?
Yes, you’ll find evidence of Native American settlements in the area, particularly Caddo tribes, though few historical artifacts remain. The region’s fertile land and waterways supported indigenous communities for thousands of years.
References
- https://texasarchive.org/2023_07974
- https://www.allacrosstexas.com/texas-ghost-town.php?city=Haslam
- https://www.jasonrweingart.com/blog/2016/10/4/ten-most-terrifying-abandoned-places-in-texas
- http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/newspaper_114.php
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Texas
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/tx/haslam.html
- https://austinghosttours.com/hazalums-haint/
- https://www.texasescapes.com/EastTexasTowns/Haslam-Texas.htm
- https://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Texas-Ghost-Towns-6-East-Texas.htm
- http://www.shelbycountytexashistory.net/Familypictures/pickeringlumber.htm
