Portales
Roosevelt County CourthouseEvent
Eastern New Mexico Universities Peanut Valley Festival, held the third weekend in October, coincides with the peanut harvest. Over 100 booths of arts, crafts and food vendors peddle their wares at this fest that got its start in the 1970’s. Call 505-562-2253 for more information.
History
People began to populate the area around Portales, then known as Portales Springs, in the 1880’s. The name “Portales” comes from the Spanish word for porch. Settlers thought that the caves and rock outcroppings around the local springs resembled the porches on old adobe homes. When “Uncle” Josh Morrison put his one room Portales Springs store on skids around 1898 and literally moved it down the road to the site of the new railroad tracks, the new town of Portales was born. The town grew up around the shop, and by 1903, was established as the county seat. Farming and ranching developed, and Portales became known as one of the primary producers of Valencia peanuts in the world. In 1934, Eastern New Mexico University was founded, becoming the cities main economical force.
The WPA in Portales
Portales boasts both WPA buildings and artwork. The Post Office (116 West First St.) was completed in 1937 and is a Classical Revival style building, featuring a single story red brick structure over a raised basement. The building also houses a WPA mural by Theodore Van Soelen, “Buffalo Range.”
Buffalo Range muralThe Administration Building at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is also a WPA building that houses a WPA mural by Lloyd Moylan titled, “The 12th Chapter of Ecclesiastes.” The mural covers the walls, floor to ceiling, around the staircase from the first to second floor. Other WPA buildings on the ENMU campus include Lea and Quay Halls – both dormitories. Golden Library, on the campus, houses several WPA works of art.
The Roosevelt County Museum is a WPA building and it houses several pieces of WPA art. Finally, the art deco-style Roosevelt County Courthouse (100 W. 2nd St.) (shown in the photo) is a WPA building constructed in 1938.
Culture
The Roosevelt County Museum tells the story of Portales through items donated by county residents.
For more information on visiting Portales, check out the town web site http://www.portalesnm.org/mainstreet/index.html
Contact:
Nicole Wilkening, Manager
Portales MainStreet Program
PO Box 302
Portales, New Mexico 88130
Phone: 575.356.6662
