The Joe Walker lumber company began in 1947, according to the Directory of Texas Manufacturers 1956-1958, as the Walker Sawmill under Joe Walker. The Walker Lumber Yard at Newton was a small operation, employing less than ten workers in 1966, probably remanufacturing at the plant to meet custom orders. It was listed in Samson's editions of 1957 and 1966 and in a 1987 directory.