High Plains Historical Foundation, Inc.

This historical society for Curry County was founded April 5, 1972. Don McAlavy was the founding president. It was a joint effort of the Clovis-Portales Arts Council, the Civic Affairs Committee of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, and the Cultural Affairs Commission of the city of Clovis, New Mexico. The historical society was established as a non-profit organization to promote the discovery, collection, preservation, exhibiting, study, and publication of historical and archaeological material relating to history generally of the Southwest and particularly that of Eastern New Mexico and Curry County. The High Plains Historical Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization and was the first historical society to be formed on the high plains of east central New Mexico.

With publication of the Curry County History in 1978, all of the history collected on Curry County was published in the book. The histories of all of the towns that are not in existence now (1995) are also in the Curry County History. All of the post offices and schools are listed in the Curry County History book.

In 1980 the High Plains History was published. It was published because of Don McAlavy's interest and research in the open range ranch history of this area and because of the interest of this organization in recording tombstone inscriptions. The High Plains History is our record book. In it are over 70 pages of open range history; tombstone inscriptions from over 70 cemeteries; World War I veterans list for Curry County; World War II veterans list for Roosevelt, Curry, and Quay Counties; the first tax records for Curry County; and over 700 family histories. Since the publication of the High Plains History all of the tombstone inscriptions in Curry, DeBaca, Quay, and Roosevelt Counties have been completed.

Under the guidance of Tom Pendergrass in 1972, the historical society found and acquired the "Oldest House" in Clovis. This house, discovered to be the second house built in Clovis in 1907 by Hill A. "Doc" Jenkins at 120 Rencher, is now Clovis' oldest. In 1974 the daughter of the late Roy and Clemmie Jane Crain donated the "Oldest House" to the society. It was moved to the Curry County Fairgrounds and is now used as a mini- museum during fair time each year.

In June of 1997 the High Plains Historical Fd. sponsored the Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, and Quay Counties, New Mexico for the NMGenWeb Project. May 25, 2002 Roosevelt Co. was added to the NM counties sponsored. May the members have a long and active life.

Harold Kilmer President High Plains Historical Fd. Clovis, New Mexico Last revision: December 30, 2009.

Thanks to Art Michaelis who created the NMGenWeb Project logo.