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McNARY,
TEXASHudspeth
County, West Texas
I-10 and State Hwy 20
2 miles from the Mexican Border
28 miles W of Sierra Blanca
56 miles W of Van Horn
60 miles SE of El Paso
Population
250 est.
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| History
in a Pecan shell
The town had been known as Nulo when it was settled in 1921. The Galveston, Harrisburg
and San Antonio Railway came through the area in 1923 and they named their station
McNary after a local businessman.
A post office was granted in 1926 and
ten years later the population was estimated to be 75 persons.
The area
was irrigated with water from Elephant Butte Dam and cotton, cantaloupes and alfalfa
flourished. By 1948 McNary had a population of 300. By 1961 it has dropped to
only 250.
Even with the dam, drought caused crops to fail and McNary
suffered. The railroad depot was taken to Sierra Blanca and the post office closed
in 1979. The population was estimated to be less than fifty in 1980, but in 1990
it reached the 250 it had in 1961.
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McNary
Texas ForumSubject:
Remembering McNary
My name is Mario Ojeda, Jr. As
an over-the-road truck driver, I certainly can appreciate learning about some
of these almost forgotten little towns. I've come across a good number of them
throughout the United States. I grew up in Esperanza, Texas about eight miles
east of McNary. There, too, I remember a lot of old buildings from an era when
there seemed to be a lot of work in these parts. As a teenager, I worked at Fort
Quitman, a.k.a. "Tommy's Town" to the locals.
I read [your page] on McNary
in Hudspeth county and wanted to share what I know of this small town. I grew
up in the area between 1985-1991. My father, however, lives on location, interestingly
enough, in one of the RR housing units for the military. He actually converted
it into his own home. Part of the original building still stands and my father
uses it as a tool shed. I'm not certain if he has any pictures before he modified
it as a home.
Also, on the south side of Highway 20 there used to be a
gas station. The garage portion still stands.
A building that once held
rock specimens and other artifacts still exists, although only the walls remain
due to a fire that destroyed the contents which dated back to the 1930s. I know
this because, as kids, my brother and I used to sneak in there and admire all
the interesting artifacts.
I will certainly try to shore up any pictures
or other information pertaining to McNary, TX and contact you promptly. I currently
live in Fabens, TX (El Paso County). - Mario Ojeda, Jr., January 5, 2005
During
World War II, I spent a summer living in McNary (railroad's section housing).
I was a child then and my father had gotten a summer job working for the railroad.
It was a short stay but I have many, many fond memories of my childhood there.
I've often wondered if any of the RR section housing at McNary still stands
or if any remnants of the RR housing may still be found, for I would very much
want to revisit the site where soldiers on the military trains going through would
throw goodies to us, the children of the railroad's section housing.
I long to see historical photos of McNary circa 1940's. Does anyone know where
there might be any old photos of McNary, Texas RR's Section housing archived somewhere?
- Hector J, Brackettville, July 31, 2003
Anyone
with additional information, stories or photos of McNary, Texas - please contact
us.
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