Seguin ISD Maple
Salvaged from the old Seguin High School, Seguin ISD Maple begins its next chapter at Salt Shaker Woodworks.
The Story
When we bought our house here in Seguin, Texas, the seller was Mr. Laird, a retired chemistry teacher from the Seguin Independent School District (Seguin ISD). During the process we met a few times and visited about various things. When I mentioned that I was a woodworker and would be building my shop on the property, he smiled and told me he had something I might be interested in.
He led me to a stack of maple flooring stored away in the cold room. Mr. Laird explained that it had come from the old Seguin High School (Seguin ISD), which was torn down to make way for the new campus. He went on to say that the boards had once been part of the gym floor, a detail that gave them a history all their own. Rather than move the heavy stack himself, he offered it to me — and I gladly accepted.
That’s how Seguin ISD Maple found its way through Mr. Laird to my shop, carrying with it a chapter of local school history and a story now continued in the pieces I create.
About the Tree
Sugar maple is one of the most admired hardwood trees in North America. Famous for its brilliant autumn foliage and as the source of maple syrup, it also grows tall and strong, making it a favorite for lumber. Its dense, fine-grained wood has been used for flooring, furniture, instruments, and countless everyday items for generations. Though sugar maple is not native to Texas, its durability and beauty made it a natural choice for the old Seguin High School gym floor — where it lived another kind of history before finding its way into my shop.
About the Wood
Maple is a dense, fine-grained hardwood prized for both its strength and its clean, light color. In the gym floor of the old Seguin High School, it was chosen for its ability to endure decades of games and practices. In the shop, that same durability shows through as crisp white accents that stand out beautifully against darker companion woods. Seguin ISD Maple may no longer see the pounding of sneakers and basketballs, but it still carries its toughness and clarity into every new piece it helps shape.
Why It Matters
Seguin ISD Maple once echoed with the sounds of bouncing balls, running shoes, and the energy of high school games. When the gym was demolished, the flooring could have been discarded and lost. Instead, through a thoughtful gift from Mr. Laird, it found its way into my shop, where it carries forward both its durability and its history. What remains of this maple is limited, so I use it carefully — often as an accent wood — to conserve its story for as long as possible. Each new piece made from this wood is more than just maple — it’s a fragment of local memory, preserved and given new purpose at Salt Shaker Woodworks.
Made From Seguin ISD Maple
Herringbone pattern charcuterie platter with Seguin ISD maple accents — available now.
Striped cutting board with Seguin ISD maple and yellowheart accents — available now.
Striped cutting board with Seguin ISD maple, wenge, and padauk accents — this one has sold.
Of the Seguin ISD Maple pieces above, two are available now and linked directly to their product pages, while one has already found its home. This wood is in short supply, which makes each finished piece feel that much more special.
You’re welcome to browse the shop to see what else is currently available, or reach out if you’d like a custom build made from Seguin ISD Maple — something designed around your idea, carrying forward the story of this rescued wood.