History
Clovis Man inhabited the Blackwater area north of Portales until 11,000 years ago. The Blackwater Draw Museum and Blackwater Archeological site are two of the most visited locations in the region. During Spanish rule in the 17th century, this area of New Mexico was named the "Llano Estacado" or "staked plains", a possible reference to the prominent and imposing yucca plants that dot the flat horizon of the Southwestern High Plains. Comanches ruled the area for part of the 19th century, but did not stay in one place.
The US territorial settlement of Portales occurred in the late 19th century as cattle herders discovered a water source emanating from a rocky ledge resembling a Spanish porch. The local watering hole took on the name "Portales", and a few settlers began ranching nearby. The City of Portales was formally established in 1909 with the arrival of the railroad to the Southwestern High Plains. The first Mayor of Portales was Washington Ellsworth Lindsey, who later became a state Governor of New Mexico.
The town developed in an orderly fashion through the early 20th century. Eastern New Mexico University was established in 1934 as the teacher's college. Originally a junior college, it became a four-year institution in the mid-20th century. The Great Depression brought several important Works Progress Administration (WPA) construction projects including the Eastern New Mexico University Administration Building, Downtown Portales Post Office, and Roosevelt County Courthouse. All three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Read more about this topic: Portales, New Mexico
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“Those who weep for the happy periods which they encounter in history acknowledge what they want; not the alleviation but the silencing of misery.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“We may pretend that we’re basically moral people who make mistakes, but the whole of history proves otherwise.”
—Terry Hands (b. 1941)
“All objects, all phases of culture are alive. They have voices. They speak of their history and interrelatedness. And they are all talking at once!”
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