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In 1959, John A. Sloan began creating banjos in the
basement workshop of his house at 273 Maple Avenue, South Chicago Heights, Illinois. The ensuing years saw him practicing
his craft first in another basement workshop, this time at 1348 Campbell Avenue in Chicago Heights, and then in a 1200 square
foot metal building adjacent to his house at 33215 Lago Vista Real in Magnolia, Texas, a place he moved to in 1997 in order
to get closer to his son and daughter, both living in Texas since the 1970s, plus finally getting some relief from shoveling
snow.
In the spring of 2007 ground was broken on 9 acres fronting I-45 in New Waverly, Texas, and an 1800 square foot
building erected as the new home of J. A. Sloan Banjos. We are on the west side frontage road (a two-way street) about 1/3
of the way between Houston and Dallas, set among beautiful rolling hills and tall pine trees. If you are coming to see us
from the south, take the New Waverly exit and proceed on the east side frontage road to the second stop sign. Turn left on
FM 1374 and cross the bridge to the west side of the freeway, then turn right on the west side frontage road. Continue north
until you arrive at 2620 I-45 South. Our driveway will be on your left, and you'll see our address on the gate post. If you
come to the freeway rest area you have gone too far. Once you've pulled into the driveway, we're in Building B, the red building.
If you are arriving from the north, continue past the town of Huntsville and leave the freeway at the State Park exit.
Go straight through the stop sign at Park Road 40 and continue five miles south on the frontage road. We are just south of
the Frito-Lay warehouse. Our driveway will be on your right.
We are normally at the shop by around 9:30 a.m. and usually
stay there until just before dark. If you're in the area and feel like paying us a visit, give us a call first at 281-733-9797
to make sure we're not out running errands. We'll leave the gate open for you.
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