Clovis History

March 15, 1939

A 700-pound steel safe taken in the burglary of Clovis Food Market, 416 Pile, was found abandoned about eight miles north of town. The safe had been pried open and officials said “several hundred dollars” had been removed. … Clovis stayed “wet,” voti... Full story

March 16, 1970

Former New Mexico Gov. and Clovis resident A.W. Hockenhull wrote a letter to the editor from his home in Dallas, declaring Clovis “will always be my Magic City.” Hockenhull also wrote that he’d enclosed his check for a year’s subscription... Full story

March 17, 1948

Anthony’s was selling bedspreads for $5 and lace tablecloths for $2. … Five men were fined $25 each for drinking in public. Another man was fined $25 for wife beating, the Clovis News-Journal reported. … Woody Electric Co. at 117 W. Grand was o... Full story

Railway's 'brashness' put Clovis on the map for good

Don McAlavy

Santa Fe Railway mechanical department workers numbering about 120 mass together on a steam locomotive in the Clovis railroad yards on April 8, 1926. Photo courtesy of the High Plains Historical Foundation. The brashness of the railroad in choosing ... Full story

Long-standing house has wild history

Don McAlavy

The first homes in early-1900s Clovis were tents and one- or two-room shacks. But one of the homes built in 1908, at Ninth and Gidding streets (almost out of town at the time) was the J. S. Fitzhugh home that ranked among the best homes in eastern Ne... Full story

Clovis History Tied to Land

Don McAlavy

David Calvin Myers and his family stand outside of their home at 123 Prince St. in Clovis in 1916. Photo Courtesy of High Plains Historical Foundation. "The old-time cowmen were a type of which we will never see again. They are as distinct as gold i... Full story

Golden years saw Clovis population double

Don McAlavy

A decade that has been called Clovis' "Golden Era" saw the population double in a 10-year period, and has not been matched since. The decade got off to a slow start with the early 1920s financial recession and Congress enacting prohibition in 1919, ... Full story

Nature, military aggression tests Curry County residents

Don McAlavy

"From 1931 to 1934 was the driest years I ever saw in New Mexico, and there were a lot of sandstorms," said Lee Merrill, who owns a 10,000-acre ranch in Running Water Draw. "Back then, you could buy all the groceries you could carry for $1.50. During... Full story

Deep-well irrigation changes farming

Don McAlavy

Following the end of World War II, the first irrigation wells dug are credited to either N.L. Tharp or L.R. Talley. Along the east side of Curry County and over into Parmer County, Texas, N.L. Tharp farmed. It was said that he, an inventor, fashione... Full story

Buddy Holly, Norman Petty at the heart of the 'Clovis Sound'

Don McAlavy

In 1949, Hank Williams was all over the radio, as were a dozen cowboy, western and hillbilly singers. A few years later, Elvis Presley came out with his first hit, "That's Alright, Mama," and popular music would never be the same again. Then came B... Full story

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