The whole story begins in Uvalde, Texas in 1883, where a
man by the name of A.M. Rice started A. M. Rice saddlery.

Meanwhile, George C. Slade was learning the trade of
saddle making from Tom Padgett Saddlery in Waco, Texas,
where he worked his way up to head saddle maker.
George's son, Will A. Slade, learned the trade under his
father at Padgett in Waco, until in 1929 Will decided to return
to Uvalde and bought A.M. Rice's saddle shop.

One of Will Slade's early customers was an old friend and
schoolmate by the name of Will Rogers. Other notable
characters to go down in the Slade hall of fame include
former governor Dolph Briscoe, General George Patton, and
Pancho Villa.

Also in 1929, Will Slade's daughter, Ruth, married Louis
Paradeaux; Louis worked in the saddle shop and passed the
trade down to his son, Will G. Paradeaux.
In 1982, Will Paradeaux sold his interest in the business to
join the ministry, but regained the shop after it went bankrupt
under the new management.

Mr. Paradeaux can be found working side-by-side today with
his son, Will Slade Paradeaux, at the Luling, Texas location
today. Will Slade Paradeaux is the fifth generation of leather
craftsman and saddle maker for Slade Saddle Shop.
OUR HISTORY
OUR STAFF
Will Paradeaux

Slade Saddle Shop. You can find
him making new saddles and lots
of custom work, or managing to
stay busy talking with customers.
Most custom saddles, billfolds,
and leggings are made by Will.  
Shown here modeling a pair of
custom made elk chaps.
Slade Paradeaux
Will Paradeaux's son and fifth
generation saddle maker. Most of the
artistic tooling at Slade Saddle Shop is
done by Slade. Slade also makes most
of the unusual items found at the shop
such as leather ties, purses, and
furniture. Making a custom bible cover
in this photo.
Stephanie Svatek
Website manager and general
customer service manager. Also
makes small leather items such as
knife cases, belts, and holsters.