Reeves County-Pecos, Texas

Pecos began on the east bank as a camp for cattle drives up the river and moved to the west side in the 1880s, though a clear title to the platted land could not be had. George A. Knight, who held title to the section, offered the Texas and Pacific a depot site and several town blocks, and the railroad built through in 1881. The town went from Pecos Station to Pecos City to Pecos. It opened a three-room school with fifty-two pupils in 1883 and became county seat in 1884, the year its post office opened.

What the plaque says

Reeves County-Pecos, Texas 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)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Roy Orbison Museum — 30 mi
  A volunteer-run room in the oil town where Roy Orbison spent his high school years, opened on request, with a guitar he played and his tinted prescription sunglasses.

More markers nearby

• The Pecos Cantaloupe — steps away
• Spanish Explorers — steps away
• Mrs. Lillie W. Cole — steps away
• Emigrants' Crossing — steps away