www.925-1000.com

Texas Lamp & Oil Company operated from the central Houston area claiming origins back to the 1870’s. Incorporation was filed around 1907, and a known letterhead can be dated to 1940 showing that they dealt in Commercial Supply (Hotel Wares, china, glass, silverware, etc.). This teaspoon sample carries their backstamped mark next to an unidentified maker mark of “W” (kind of fancy or compounded style). Presumably, the topmark of H.P.S.L.R. corresponds to a “Lunch Room” in Houston or Harris County…but no conclusions are found as of yet. TIA for help with the maker.

Given the known address of 809-811 Prairie Avenue for T.L.&O., it was possible to locate some images that place the firm about a block off of the old Market Square surrounding the City Hall (#4). Milam borders the square and intersects with Prairie right where this firm was. The left side of the map places this and the 1920’s photo actually captured the building with the Texas Lamp &Oil Company name painted on the dark background (left edge lower in image). The last shot is of what has been dropped in to this approximate space (Block 42?) in recent years. A high rise complex called Brava that seems to need no oil lamps.

Sorry, not sure why, but the hosting site does not seem to be conveying images at the same resolution they are stored at. All of it can be found on-line.

An August 2007 entry in blog CHRON notes in February 1960 three injured when T.L.&O. Co. building at 809 Prairie went up in flames. So there’s the end date apparently and explains why so little is known.Several of the Houston suppliers were already found previously (Larry Paul’s database) and this should complete what remained undiscovered.