Western Heritage Museum | Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame

Saturday, June 14th

Brian Norwood designed a new logo for the Western Heritage Museum Complex. Brian also made a sculpture of the cowboy featured in the logo. Recently installed on the south side of the museum, the sculpture represents the cowboy on his horse with a full loop in his rope. The left front hoof is the only point of contact with the ground. Cost for the artwork was provided by donor Jim Davis, Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame Board Member.

 

An historic Eclipse windmill was recently erected in front of the Western Heritage Museum Complex by a NMJC crew under the direction of Charley Carroll. Executive Director, Calvin Smith, and builder Paul Cowley from Ropesville, Texas were also part of the effort. The Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame Board approved the cost of the reconstruction in 2007 as a memorial to Shaun Berry. The Pearson family of the Merchant and San Simon Ranches located southwest of Eunice, NM, supplied Mr. Cowley with parts from two Eclipse windmills to make the new one. Mr. Cowley, who is widely known for his windmill restorations, said it was a rare opportunity to have all the original pieces coming from the same place.

In addition to the friendly staff, Western Heritage Museum Complex visitors are welcomed by Gus year-round. Gus, named for the cowboy in the movie Lonesome Dove, is an animatronic powered by air. He looks and sounds lifelike; his voice is controlled by computer. Currently Gus teaches visitors about a cowboy’s life. He shares the answers to four questions:

• What is the chuck wagon used for?
• Why is there a Cowboy Hall of Fame in Lea County?
• What do cowboys eat?
• Why do cowboys wear boots and chaps?

Eventually, Gus will answer more questions, and future plans include adding an animatronic pioneer woman struggling to raise children at the turn of the last century.

Nearby Gus in the Complex entrance is a statue portraying two children on a horse. The figure is “dedicated to all the horses that helped raise kids”. Historical guns, a sewing machine, and a colorful mural are some of the items on display in the entrance to introduce visitors to the Western Heritage that is Lea County.

Entering in the South Gallery of the Western Heritage Museum Complex is like taking a trip through time as you walk the path of life in the Llano Estacado from 12,000 years ago until today. “Llano Estacado” is a term that defines the geographic region in the southwestern United States that encompasses parts of eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas. Hobbs is nearly in the middle of the region that covers 250 miles north to south, and 150 miles east to west, a total area of some 37,500 square miles, larger than all of New England.

Over the years, our area has been home to rich grasslands, millions of buffalo, Ancient Indian tribes, The Great American Desert, ranchers and homesteaders, world champion cowboys, and the discovery of oil! From the ancient, prehistoric sea that once covered the Permian Basin to the rugged individuals who tamed the Llano Estacado, or “staked plains,” the unique and colorful spirit of the timeless land of southern New Mexico can be explored fully at the Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame in Hobbs.

Long known as “The Great American Desert,” the Llano Estacado was avoided by Europeans for centuries. It wasn't until the 1880s that bison hunters discovered the La Pista de Vida Agua, or Trail of Living Waters, which ran across northern Lea County. From that point on, the area underwent extensive exploration by the legendary Buffalo Soldiers and others.

Such efforts of early explorers convinced some that there was enough water to sustain livestock—if one was lucky enough to gain control of the few springs and lakes in the region. However, with the advent of the windmill, which pumped life-giving water from far below the surface, life on the Llano Estacado was changed forever. Now, enterprising homesteaders, cowboys, and ranchers were able to move onto the seemingly inhospitable rangelands to begin staking a future for themselves and their families.

As these hearty pioneers slowly began to tame the region, one last secret was discovered deep within the bosom of the Llano Estacado: oil! And with this discovery, the face of the Llano Estacado was to be transformed yet again. . .

Come discover for yourself the compelling history, the rugged men and women, and the rich traditions beautifully showcased in the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame in Hobbs!