Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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 Squadron, 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.
1956: The new Clovis High School at 21st and Thornton was ready to open.
The building featured nine classrooms, a library, study hall, a home economics department, administrative offices and more.
It cost $617, 711 for 45,000 square feet.
A second unit was under construction and would feature seven more classrooms and a vocational agriculture department.
Honey, I love you ...
1965: Curry County Clerk Angeline Stanley said her phone “rang off the hook” as area residents inquired about getting married before midnight in efforts to avoid the military draft.
President Johnson signed an executive order making any man married after midnight on this date eligible for the draft on the same basis as a single man.
But Stanley said her office only issued two marriage licenses before it closed for the day.
Vote for me ...
1968: The newspaper was loaded with political ads on the eve of New Mexico’s primary election.
The governor’s race was particularly heated with eight candidates in the hunt.
Democrat Bruce King urged voters to “Think about it,” claiming “There is one Democratic candidate who can win more Republican votes in November than (incumbent David Cargo).”
Cargo told voters about his track record.
“Who brought state spending into line for the first time in years ... Dave Cargo, that’s who!” his ad read.
Cargo won the Republican nod a day later. Then he earned his second two-year term in November, defeating Democrat Fabian Chavez Jr., 160,140 votes to 157,230.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact him at: