Welcome to HobbsHistory.com The following pages contain photographs, images of newspapers, and other items with a place in the history of Hobbs, New Mexico.   We would like to thank the following people for their generosity in sharing their images and information on this site: Spencer Emrick, Jamie Fletcher, Jim Maddox, Dr. Steve McCleery, New Mexico Junior College, Sharon Young Taylor, Lou Thole, and many others who have provided encouragement and shared their memories of the past. Thank you to Paula Manis, Casey's in the MiniMall, Sylvia Peterson and Young Investment Company for allowing us to use dozens of photographs from their collection. A special thanks goes to Max Clampitt, not only for allowing us to use dozens of photographs from his collection, but for his dedication to preserving and chronicling the history of our city. Hobbs is a city located in the southeast corner of the State of New Mexico, in Lea County.  embed Google Maps - map-generator.net The roots of the city go back to 1907 when James Isaac Hobbs,his wife Francis and their four children arrived in the area from Texas.  But, growth in the area really began with the discovery of oil in Hobbs in 1928.  Through boom and bust, the city has endured and grown into a thriving community that is home to approximately 30,000 people. We hope you enjoy your visit to our "virtual museum" and will share it with your friends.  Come back often, as we plan to continue to add new content and are always looking for additional images and information to add. Images & Advertising of early Hobbs, New Mexico New Hobbs, Old Hobbs and All Hobbs (Updated 11/10/2007) Early Hobbs (Updated 11/10/2007) Beginnings of Broadway (Updated 5/03/2008) The Railroad Arrives (Updated 11/10/2007) Amelia Earhart and early aviation in Hobbs  (New 11/10/2007) Broadway in the 1930's (Updated 5/03/2008) Broadway in the 40's and 50's (Updated 11/10/2007) Broadway and Beyond (Updated 5/03/2008) Advertising images and more photographs (Updated 5/03/2008) Churches in Hobbs (Updated 1/27/2008) The Oil Patch (Updated 5/03/2008) Education in Hobbs (New 11/10/2007) 1936 Hobbs, New Mexico Telephone Book Hobbs Army Air Field base newspaper dated October 9, 1942 (Updated 1/12/2008) Hobbs News-Sun's Salute to Hobbs Army Air Field circa 1945 Scenes around Hobbs Army Air Field (Updated 5/03/2008) Hobbs Army Air Field B-17 Project Article about Hobbs from 1953 issue of New Mexico Sun Trails Magazine Businesses in Earlier Years and Yellow Page Advertising (Updated 12/24/2007) Historical Business Location Street Address Guide - What was located where Links and Additional Resources Got some old pictures?  Want to help? Our goal is to continue to expand this website and increase the information and images available here.  We are always looking for additional photographs and artifacts from Hobbs' past and we need your help.  Much of the history of Hobbs has been captured in photographs that are now in the hands of its citizens, often passed down from one generation to the next.  If you have old photographs, postcards, magazine articles, books, yearbooks, advertising items or anything else that others might like to look at on this site, please contact us.  We don't need to keep your item--we can borrow it, make a scan for the website, and return it within a day or two.  We are especially interested in any items from the Hobbs Army Air Field, early oilfield photographs, early sports photographs and old photos of Hobbs businesses. For more information contact - Mark Cotton

Dedication These pages are dedicated to the memory of all those who came before us and left this city in our trust.   And personally, to my memories of two men whose lives served as examples of the quiet heroes that surround us: Curtis H. Cotton, Jr. and Murrell J. Abbott

This website was created and is maintained by Mark Cotton, who is solely responsible for its content.
Please contact me if you have photographs or other items of interest that you would like to be displayed here.

Copyright © 2007 - Mark Cotton