Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
Emigrants' Crossing | Mentone | Vicinity of Significant Neighbors Ford Trail | Reeves County | Reeves County-Pecos, Texas | Reeves, George R. | San Salomon Spring | Spanish Explorers | Toyah | West of The Pecos Museum | World's First Rodeo
Emigrants' Crossing
Marker Title: Emigrants' Crossing
Address: Cedar & 1st St.
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1972
Marker Location: Cedar and First St. (West of Pecos Museum), Pecos
Marker Text: One of the few spots where pioneer travelers could cross the Pecos River by fording. At Emigrants' Crossing, the deep, treacherous river flows over exposed rock. It is one of only three fords in a 60-mile segment of the stream, and was the one favored by parties migrating in 1849 from the eastern United States to west coast gold fields. Often called the California Emigrants' Crossing, or the Red River Trail crossing, it was also the one used in 1858 by coaches of Butterfield Overland Mail, which had an adobe station and a high-walled adobe corral there. (1972)
Mentone
Marker Title: Mentone
Address: US 285 and SH 302, about 21 mi. S of Orla
City: Orla
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: On US 285 at intersection with SH 302, 21 miles S of Orla.
Marker Text: Only town in Loving County, last organized, most sparsely populated (both in total and per square mile) county in Texas. Established 1931 and named for an earlier town (10 miles N.) which legend says was named by a French surveyor-prospector after his home on the Riviera. With population of 42, Mentone has no water system, (water is hauled in. ) Nor does it have a bank, doctor, hospital, newspaper lawyer, civic club or cemetery. There are only two recorded graves in county. Some Indian skeletons, artifacts are found. Oil, farming, cattle county. (1967)
Vicinity of Significant Neighbors Ford Trail
Marker Title: Vicinity of Significant Neighbors Ford Trail
Address: US 285, N side of Pecos
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Location: In Roadside Park on US 285, Northern City Limits of Pecos.
Marker Text: First wagon road to El Paso from Austin. Opened 1849 by Maj. Robert S. neighbors and Dr. John S. "Rip" Ford, Texas Rangers and leading statesmen. With Indian guides Jime Shaw (a Delaware) and Guadalupe (a Comanche), they left the Pecos, followed Toyah Creek to Davis Mountains, then went west to the Rio Grande. On the return past Guadalupe Peak, Pecos River and Horsehead Crossing, rations gave out and they ate roasted mescal roots, panther and horse meat. Their route had water and wood and became a great stage, military and emigrant road. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966.
Reeves County
Marker Title: Reeves County
Address: Cedar & 1st St.
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: Cedar and First Sts. (West of Pecos Museum)in the Museum Courtyard Pecos.
Marker Text: Formed from Pecos County, created April 14, 1883. Organized November 4, 1884. Named in honor of George Robertson Reeves 1826-1882. A colonel in the Confederate army; member of the Texas Legislature. Pecos, the county seat. (1936)
Reeves County-Pecos, Texas
Marker Title: Reeves County-Pecos, Texas
Address: Cedar & 1st St.
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: Cedar & 1st Sts. (West of Pecos Museum) Pecos
Marker Text: Flat, arid, grassy land with a moderate water supply from the Pecos River and springs in Toyah Valley. Yuma Indians are thought to have done irrigated framing her in 16th century. Mexicans later raised vegetables, grain. Cattlemen moved in during the 1870s. Texas & Pacific Railway opened route to El Paso in 1882. Farmers, merchants, mechanics settled in Pecos City and Toyah. County was irrigated agriculture began about 1900. Only dam on Pecos River in Texas was built in this county 1935. Privately owned deep wells are also used. (1967)
George R. Reeves
Marker Title: George R. Reeves
Address: 4th and Oaks St.
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Location: Courthouse Lawn, corner of 4th and Oak Sts., Pecos
Marker Text: Organized, captained company in 11th Texas Cavalry at start Civil War. Served in Arkansas, Indian Territory, Kentucky invasion of 1862. Assigned to Wheeler's Cavalry in Tennessee. Promoted colonel and command of 11th Cavalry, 1863. Led regiment Chickamauga. In 1864 fought in 100-day Atlanta campaign, guerilla warfare against Sherman's march to the sea, in battle at Savannah. In 1865 participated Carolinas campaign. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the state of Texas 1963.
San Salomon Spring
Marker Title: San Salomon Spring
Address: SH 117, off IH 10 at Balmorhea State Park
City: Balmorhea State Park
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1964
Marker Location: At Balmorhea State Park, off SH 17, 4 miles S. of IH-10
Marker Text: Called "Mescalero Spring " in 1849, when watering corn and peaches of the Mescalero Apaches. To Ft. Davis soldiers, 1856, was "Head Spring". Present name given by first permanent settlers, Mexican farmers. Miller, Lyles and Murphy in 1871 began large-scale commercial irrigation. Murphy built first canals. (1964)
Spanish Explorers
Marker Title: Spanish Explorers
Address: Cedar & 1st St.
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Location: Cedar and First St. (West of Pecos Museum) Pecos
Marker Text: Antonio De Espejo in 1583, after exploring among pueblos in New Mexico, reached the Pecos River southeast of Santa Fe. He Named it Rio de Las Vacas (river of cows), for the abundance of buffalo. On his return route to Mexico he went down the river to near the present town of Pecos. Jumano Indians led his party to their camp on Toyah Lake. He then went down Toyah Creek and through the Big Bend. While Espejo was first to explore the Pecos, Castano de Sosa, on his way into New Mexico in 1590, was the first European to travel its full length. (1966)
Toyah
Marker Title: Toyah
Address: IH 20 and FM 2903
City: Toyah
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1964
Marker Location: at intersection of IH-20 and FM 2903 (behind Big Cactus Patch) Toyah.
Marker Text: Began as division point, 1881, on T. & P. Railway, with shops, roundhouse, hotel, cafe. Water was hauled from Monahans and sold by the barrel. Stage took passengers and mail to Brogado. 1882 cattle shipping brought cowboy-detective Charles Siringo here to look for rustlers. (1964)
West of The Pecos Museum
Museum Name: West of The Pecos Museum
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1784
City: Pecos
Zip Code: 79772
Street Address: 1st and Hwy 285
Area Code: 965
Phone: 445-5076
County: Reeves
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Historical, Local/Pioneer History, Other
World's First Rodeo
Marker Title: World's First Rodeo
Address: Rodeo Grounds at US 285 and Walthall St.
City: Pecos
County: Reeves
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Location: In front of Rodeo Grounds at US 285 and Walthall St. Pecos.
Marker Text: Held a block south of Pecos Courthouse, July 4, 1883. Started with claims of cattle outfits Lazy, Na and W Ranch -- that each had fastest steer ropers. Settlers in town for Fourth of July picnic were spectators. The prizes were blue ribbons cut by pocket knife from new dress of a 4 years old girl in crowd. Best roper was Morg Livingston, of the Na. Trav Windham, Lazy Y was second. Other contestants: Fate Beard, Geo. Brookshire, John Chalk, Jeff Chisum, Howard Collier, Jim Livingston, Jim Mannin, Henry Miller, Brawley Oates, Jim and Henry Slack, E.P. Stuckler. (1965)