|
\
 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
It wasn’t until
1902 that the community of Gomez became the first settlement in Terry
County. Trying to comply with state mandates, the three founders
(none of whom were named Gomez) attempted to built their town in the
geographic center of Terry
County.
A post office opened in 1903. The men (Pool, Blankenship and Ford)
couldn’t decide on a name for the town so they left that up to postal
authorities in Washington who honored Máximo Gómez, a Cuban hero of
the (then) recent Spanish-American
War.
Stores were built, a well was drilled on the town square and hopes
were high that Gomez would become “the Metropolis of the Plains” or
at the very least, the Terry county seat.
By 1904, Gomez had everything they needed, but in an election that
year, the community was outvoted by just three votes. Brownfield
won the election although the momentum Gomez had had kept it growing
for a few more years. People started gravitating to Brownfield
around 1910 and in 1917 the final blow came in the form of an arriving
railroad. The South Plains and Santa Fe Railroad came to Brownfield
and by 1918, Gomez was a ghost and the land reclaimed for agriculture.
But a “New” Gomez came into being – just a mile from “Old” Gomez.
Only the cemetery of Old Gomez is left. New Gomez reported a population
of 75 in the late 1920s. It remains a community – but barely. Except
for the history, there is now no distinction of Old or New Gomez.
Just Gomez, Texas – a town that was named for a Cuban General and
came within three votes of being the county seat.
Photographer's Note:
"The Gomez Cemetery and marker are located about 5 miles west
of Brownfield on CR 345 about 1/4
mile south of US 380." - Barclay
Gibson |
 |
Historical Marker:
Gomez Cemetery
Established in
1902 in Gomez (then 0.5 mi. W of here), first settlement in Terry
County. Original 4-acre tract was deeded to Gomez School trustees
in 1906 by pioneer settler H. F. Adams. Some of earliest settlers
are buried here. Many graves were moved to Brownfield
in 1918.
(1970) |
Terry
County 1907 Postal Map showng Gomez
(Above "E" in TERRY. West of Brownfield)
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
