Benjamin Lewis “Ben” Knowles came to the area about 1903 or 1904 from Mills County, Texas and claimed land. In and around it grew up a settlement that is believed to be the second oldest (after Monument) in the area that later became Lea County in 1917. Knowles was in his late 60s when he … Continue reading Knowles
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Humble City
The community of Humble City is located about five miles northwest of the edge of Hobbs on Highway 18 at the intersection with West Alabama Street. It took its name from the Humble Oil and Refining Company. Humble Oil was founded in 1911 in Harris County, Texas and also gave its name to the town … Continue reading Humble City
Caprock
The community of Caprock is located just inside the northwestern border of the county. It takes its name for the geological formation that is found in southeastern New Mexico where to the east, the surface is flat while to the west it drops off rapidly. West of Caprock, the surface descends to the Pecos river. … Continue reading Caprock
A. J. Crawford
Abel Justus Crawford was a pioneer to the area, having lived in or near Lea County for almost 70 years when he passed away in 1969. Mr. Crawford was born November 10, 1867 in Mount Giliad, Kentucky. He recalled his first job, that of picking cherries for 15 cents per day. As a youth, he … Continue reading A. J. Crawford
Buckeye Sheep Ranch
by David L. Minton, Lea County Historian. Used with permission. Today a look at the origin of the name of the area in Our Lea County known as Buckeye. Today it is known primarily as the oil patch southwest of Lovington, but 130 years ago it and a larger area was known as the Buckeye … Continue reading Buckeye Sheep Ranch
Buckeye
According to most sources, Buckeye grew up as the oilfield business increased. It was named for the Buckeye Sheep Ranch which was located in the area. At various times, it included a grocery store, as many as two gas stations, a cafe, welding shops, a hardware store and post office. (1) In addition to the … Continue reading Buckeye
The Cowden Family
Four brothers, W. H. "Bill" Cowden, George Cowden, John M. Cowden and Buck Cowden came to the area in the mid 1880s and settled with their wives and children near what became the town of Jal. The men drove their combined cattle while the women drove wagons. Water sources were found by digging wells. Their … Continue reading The Cowden Family
Deputy Sheriff J. M. Clifton (1903-1932)
The Hobbs Flare (Hobbs, NM) of June 19, 1959 carried a column called "News of Yesteryears." That day, the column quoted an out of print newspaper called the Lovington Tribune from February 26, 1932 and read as follows: "Deputy sheriff and two men were killed in a gunfight at Crossroads. The late Bob Beverly was … Continue reading Deputy Sheriff J. M. Clifton (1903-1932)
The Lee Family
Richard David “Dick” Lee, Sr. was born November 23, 1877 in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas to Brooks William Lee and Nancy Lenora “Jennie” Millican Lee. He married Sarah Viola Forrester in Scurry County, Texas on January 24, 1900. Dick came to the New Mexico Territory with his parents in 1886 from Texas when he was … Continue reading The Lee Family
Open Range Cowboy Association
"To Preserve the Spirit of the Old West as a Spirit That Should Never Be Forgotten" This interesting Lea County group dates back to 1940. After a few years of meeting informally, it was organized as part of a national group of the same name. Its original charter members included Henry S. Record, Will Gray, … Continue reading Open Range Cowboy Association
Old Lea County, N.M. 