Started in the 1850s by European-born immigrants, the slate belt of Upstate New York and Vermont has been used on a broad range of historic buildings in the Northeast and throughout the U.S. - primarily for slate roofs. Today, companies like Tatko Brothers and Sheldon Slate Products have continued that tradition by providing roofing slate as well as a broad range of tile products, countertops and structural work.
Sheldon Slate Products was formed in 1917, and Tatko Bros. was formed in 1925. The two companies were tied together by John Tatko, Sr., who bought Sheldon in the late 1940s. Today, the companies are owned by Joseph Tatko, Edna Tatko and John Tatko, Jr., who still works in the quarries. But although the companies have the same ownership, they have always run independently and continue to do so today.