The West Texas town of Slaton is home to none other than Slaton Bakery, which was founded after the consolidation of two other local bakeries, Blue Ribbon and City Bakery. In 1929, the bakery’s proprietor, R.D. Hickman, took on ownership of the bakery and brought on many employees, including Barney and Ollie Mae Wilson, who spent their first years of employment making fresh doughnuts and specialty cakes before buying out Mr. Hickman in 1943. During World War II, the couple modified the bakery’s menu to fit ration standards at the time, and in an effort to help the war effort, they baked fresh goods served alongside coffee for soldiers passing through. Still, they struggled, so to increase sales they introduced sliced hamburger and hot dog buns, the first to do so in Texas and the South Plains. Later, they found success in a partnership with Ninnie Baird, who would later become the face of the famous Mrs. Baird baked goods, now sold in grocery stores nationwide. The Wilsons were the first to distribute her product in the South Plains, shipping bread from Fort Worth and Abilene plants. Today, Slaton Bakery is run by the Wilson’s children and grandchildren, who still serve fresh doughnuts and create specialty cakes for visitors and community members.