History of Eunice
Settlement of Eunice
In the fall of 1908 J.N. Carson came to the southeastern corner of New Mexico to set up a homestead, which later was to become the town of Eunice, named for his eldest daughter. In the spring of 1909 he built a store and a postal office with other families beginning to follow.
The settlement was growing and they decided to build a one room school which had an enrollment of 23 children in the first year. The schoolhouse also served as a community center with Sunday school and church services being held there.
Not having paved roads did not stop settlers or the oilfield from making their way to Eunice. The first oilfield well was drilled in Lea County in 1926, though it was never a producing well. The first producing well was in 1928, and marked the Oilfield Boom which brought fluctuating flow of itinerant oilfield workers boosting the number of citizens in Eunice up to approximately 5,500 in the mid 1930s.
In 1937 Eunice's main street was a bustling mainstream of 27 cafes, 2 grocery stores, 6 bars, several pool halls, several rooming houses, a drugstore, a hotel, dry goods store, and a Baptist and Methodist Church.
Present & Future
Today Eunice boasts an estimated population of 2,606 (in July of 2005) and growing currently with
- 1 Convenience Store
- 2 Drinking Establishments (1 requiring membership)
- 9 Places to Dine-In or Carryout
- Bank
- Discount Store
- Grocery Store
- Health Clinic
- Inn and Motel
- Insurance Shops
- Lumber Yard
- Organizations
- Seasonal Tax Office
- Towing and Auto Service
Many more businesses are popping up. Things are growing and the future in Eunice is going to be something to behold.
More Information
More information can be found at the Eunice Public Library in the Eunice history archives. The Eunice history book is also for sale contact the Eunice Public Library at 575-394-2336 for more details.