J. S. Means Ranch House

Homesteaders like the Purcells competed for range with a large absentee landowner. The University of Texas has held about 293,000 acres in Andrews County since 1883, fourteen blocks scattered across the county that once made up 29 percent of its acreage, and much of that land was leased for grazing. Ranching ran the county's economy: it counted more than 53,000 cattle in 1900 and more than 54,000 in 1910. Cattle kept their place after oil arrived; in the early 1980s livestock still brought in about two-thirds of the county's farm income.

What the plaque says

J. S. Means Ranch House Built in 1900, this is one of the oldest houses in Andrews County. S. H. Purcell, his wife, and two relatives each filed on a section of public land, building this home where section-corners met, so that each individual could fulfill the legal requirement to live on his claim. Soon after proving their claims, they sold out to Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Means, who then (1904) owned 14 sections. Adding much more land, the Means family established a very successful working ranch. It continues to run cattle, even though the range has contained oil fields since the 1920s. (1974)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Original Townsite of Andrews — steps away
• Early Settlers of Andrews County — steps away
• Billionth Barrel — 0.5 mi
• Shafter's Trail — 0.6 mi