Introduced to this area in 1883, sheep existed in large numbers throughout the region by the 1930s. Prominent local banker Joseph B. Christian and his son, textile engineer Joe Muller Christian, erected this native stone building to house the West Texas Woolen Mills. Texas governor W. Lee O'Daniel attended the grand opening in 1941. In 1942 the plant was awarded a major World War II contract to manufacture Army blankets. After a successful conversion to postwar production, the mill became a major contributor to the area's economy. The Christians sold the landmark mill in 1963. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1995