The Steger family built Atlanta

For ninety years the Steger family were builders in and around Atlanta, Texas beginning with Allen Walter Steger who came to Texas with his family in 1854. He was the son of Alfred M. Steger and the grandson of Robert M. Steger of Pike County. Geor¬gia. Allen was born in Henry County, Georgia on August 24, 1845.

Allen Steger’s most prestigious project was the building of the First Methodist Church in Atlanta in 1875. He had served as Church School Superin¬tendent for the church and was se¬lected as building supervisor. The church was a beautiful “Texas” Gothic affair which was replaced with an¬other style in 1923 and in 1950 the congregation opted to go back to a traditional building - this time Geor¬gian.

Two of his sons, Elbert Wesley and Allen Merritt “Met” continued the tradition. Elbert G. “Mr. El” was an expert at shingle art which was popu¬lar in American Victorian buildings. It was a process whereby wood shingles were pointed or rounded on one end and then formed into intricate patterns in the gable end of a dwelling. He was also interested in law-enforcement, serving as a Cass County deputy sheriff for a time. He died in 1913. three years before his father. Met was a bricklayer who built many houses in Atlanta which still stand and attest to his fine workmanship.

He was the inspiration to three of his nephews to enter the building business. Homer, Allen M., and Wesley were the sons of Elbert Steger.

One son. Lillian had died in 1925. but his son, Lillian M., and grandson. James M. Steger continued as the fourth and fifth generation of Steger builders. Allen’s son. Robert was also a fourth-generation builder.

In 1946. Homer, Allen M., and Wesley established Steger’s Builders Supply in Atlanta. Wesley was the office manager and Homer and Allen supervised the construction crews, many who were relatives. Homer as a carpenter and Allen as a bricklayer worked with as well as supervised the work crews. The Builders Supply con¬tracted and then supplied all the mate¬rial and labor to the home builder. They built dozens of homes, several churches, and businesses and one school gymna¬sium at Gilliam, Louisiana. Atlanta is very near the center of the Ark-La-Tex where Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas join so it wasn’t unusual to do business across state lines. St. Clements Catholic Church in Vivian. Louisiana was one of the churches the brothers built.

By 1956 the Supply had been sold to a larger competitor. The new name was painted on the front of the build¬ing but the name “Steger” had been formed into the brickwork and always showed through the painted sign That firm eventually closed and only the front vail remains standing with the Steger name still evident.

Wesley located first at Denison and later Denton. Texas as a manager of lumber yards in those places. Homer and Allen continued building but on a smaller scale until they both retired. In 1970 they along with Lillian M. Robert and James M. entered upon their larg¬est ever project, a shopping center in Atlanta. It was their final contribution to the community as a family.