Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Pages past — Aug. 26

On this date ...

2005: The federal military Base Closure and Realignment Commission agreed with the Department of Defense’s recommendation to close Cannon Air Force Base.

The base would only be spared if a new mission could be found by 2010.

Ten months later, DOD announced Cannon would become home to the Air Force’s 16th Special Operations Wing, which remains today.

1970: Ned Houk Memorial Park, six miles north of Clovis, moved one step closer to reality with approval of $41,600 in funds from the Federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Department.

“When it’s finished we’ll see people from a wide radius coming here to enjoy it,” said Newt Hudnall, a member of the Ned Houk Park board of directors.

The 3,500-acre tract was deeded to the city of Clovis about two decades earlier, the Clovis News-Journal reported, and only a few acres were in use as a public picnic and park.

On completion, officials said they hoped to have an archery range, a model airplane field, a golf course, a rifle range for skeet and trap shooting, dog trails and a riding stable.

1955: Clovis’ Playmore Bowl, closed almost a week for resurfacing and refinishing of its lanes, was planning to reopen on Aug. 27.

“Jackpot doubles will be bowled by all who care to enter between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. and a person may enter as many times as he wishes as long as he does not bowl with the same partner twice,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

The lane repairs were required by the American Bowling Congress, the newspaper reported.

Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. For more regional history, check out his weblog at:

www.highplainsyesterdays.com