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History
in a Pecan Shell
As hard as it is to believe - the town of Pecos was once East of the
Pecos
River. The popular slogan "West of the Pecos" wouldn't
work very well if the town of Pecos was east of the river.
A Mr. George Knight who owned the land gave a small portion for a
depot and a little more for good measure to the Texas and Pacific
Railroad who laid tracks in 1881.
The evolution of the name was Pecos Station, then Pecos
City and finally the simple utilitarian Pecos. After going
through so many changes, they weren't about to change it when their
portion of Pecos County
became Reeves County
in 1883.
They got a post office in 1884 and a bad reputation for violence shortly
thereafter. We'd like to point out that the reputation had nothing
to do with postal employees.
The name Pecos even evolved into a verb like "Shanghai". To "Pecos"
a man was to ambush him, steal his horse and money and roll his body
off a riverbank (which didn't have to actually be the Pecos
River to qualify). Even though things have quieted down today,
having Clay Allison's grave in back of the Orient Hotel (itself riddled
with bullet holes) testifies to the town's legendary wild-west past.
During WWII
Pecos Army Air Field was opened and the population of the town
reached 6,500. The city nearly doubled its population in the 50s from
8,000 to 14,000.
Pecos Cantaloupes
Today samples of Pecos cantaloupes are provided to summer visitors
of the museum. The fame of the melons was spread because they were
served in the dining cars all along the railroad's east-west route.
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| The fame of
Pecos cantaloupe is said to have spread from railroad dining cars
that were supplied at the town of Pecos and served allong the line.
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Historical
Marker
Cedar of 1st Streets, Pecos, West
of Pecos Museum:
The Pecos Cantaloupe
Nationally famed
melon, originated in this city. Residents from 1880s grew melons in
gardens, noting sun and soil imparted a distinctive flavor. Madison
L. Todd (March 22, 1875-Sept. 10, 1967) and wife Julia (Jan. 30, 1880-Feb.
5, 1969) came here from east
Texas and New Mexico. In 1917 Todd and partner, D. T. McKee, grew
eight acres of melons, selling part of crop to dining cars of Texas
& Pacific Railway, where Pecos cantaloupes first became popular and
in wide demand. McKee soon quit business, but Todd remained a leader
for 41 years. Famed lecturer Helen Keller, Presidents Eisenhower and
Johnson and many other distinguished persons have ordered and appreciated
Pecos cantaloupes. Exclusive clubs in New York, Chicago, St. Louis
and other cities are regular clients of Pecos growers. Genuine Pecos
cantaloupes begin ripening in July and continue on the market until
late October. The varieties are the same as those grown in other areas.
Climate, soil and special cultivation methods account for the distinctiveness
of Pecos melons. 2,000 acres are now planted annually. M. L. Todd
was known in his later years as father of the industry. He and his
wife and family were leaders in civic and religious enterprises.
( 1970). |
Pecos, Texas
Landmarks
Photo Gallery
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The
entire downtown section of Pecos (Pay Cuss) is intact, with only one
building gone due to a fire. At the north end of the main street is
the railroad station. It's easy to spot - just look for the Union
Pacific caboose in the middle of the street.
Pecos is one of the towns that must be included on your West
Texas itinerary. |
Texas & Pacific
Railroad Depot in Pecos, Texas.
Postcard from the early 1900's, courtesy Mark Armstrong |
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The
Old Texas & Pacific Station today
TE Photo,
2000 |
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Next
to the caboose is the headstone for Clay Allison, a notorious
gunfighter who may have "died with his boots on" but actually his
head was crushed by his own wagon.
You aren't a true West Texas town
without a gunfighter's tombstone downtown.
TE photo, August 2000 |
Entering Pecos
via Barstow
Photo
courtesy James Feagin, September 2004 |
Pecos Drug Co.'s
Store, ca 1908
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Hotel Brandon
1930s Postcard
Courtesy
www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Boulder Courts
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
More Rooms
with a Past |
Pecos
Hotels › Book Hotel Here
Pecos Tourist Information The Chamber of Commerce:
111 S. Cedar St. 915-445-2406
Website: www.pecostx.com |
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Pecos
cantaloupes are so famous, they'll loan money on them.
TE Photo, 2000 |
The
effect of fire hydrants on West of the Pecos marigolds
TE Photo, 2000 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories
and recent or vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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