Clovis, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Clovis is the county seat
of Curry County
, New Mexico
, United States
. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775.
Clovis is located in the Llano Estacado
and eastern New Mexico regions. The largely agricultural town is also noted for its role in early rock music
history. Nearby Cannon Air Force Base
has a significant impact on the community.
It is the principal city of the Clovis Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Clovis-Portales Combined Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 22.5 square miles (58.3 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.44%) is water.
This water area is primarily artificial ponds in Clovis' several public parks.
Portales
, 17 miles (27.4 km) south, is home to Eastern New Mexico University
and has a variety of restaurants, furniture stores, and specialty shops. Medical care in Clovis is provided by the Plains Regional Medical Center and in Portales by Roosevelt General Hospital.
region was home to the prehistoric Clovis culture
, an anthropologically significant early group of Native Americans
. Historical remains have been found at the Blackwater Draw
site (south of the Clovis, near Portales
), which remains a historical and tourist
site.
Clovis began in 1906, when the Santa Fe Railroad was being built through the area and railway engineers were ordered to choose a town site. At first known as Riley's Switch, it was renamed Clovis by the station master's daughter, who at the time was studying about Clovis
, the first Catholic king of the Franks. The settlement built up quickly and in 1909 was incorporated.
of 2000, there were 32,667 people, 12,458 households, and 8,596 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,458.9 people per square mile (563.3/km²). There were 14,269 housing units at an average density of 637.3 per square mile (246.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.3% White, 7.32% African American, 1.02% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 14.98% from other races
, and 3.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino were 33.44% of the population.
There were 12,458 households out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was 30.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were ages 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,878, and the median income for a family was $33,622. Males had a median income of $26,586 versus $20,375 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,561. About 17.2% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
.
Clovis celebrated its Centennial during 2009.
, the vicinity hosts agriculture and ranching, including peanut and cotton farming and cattle ranching, for meat and dairy production. Several processing plants exist for these products. In 2004, construction began on the Southwest Cheese Company plant geographically located between Clovis and Portales, which commenced operations in late 2005 providing a substantial boost to the local economy employing over 200 personnel. It is one of the largest plants of its type in the world, processing in excess of 2.3 billion pounds of milk yearly, provided by the numerous local dairies.
A high proportion of local residents are employed in the services sector. Dillard's
and Wal-Mart
have a large impact among retail consumption in the community, though smaller stores including regional and national supermarket chains do exist. The convenience store Allsup's
is headquartered in Clovis. Railroad transport formerly contributed to economic growth in the early years of the towns development and like many small towns still maintains an important role in the economy. In the finance sector, large national and regional institutions such as Bank of America
and Wells Fargo
are present and manage a large portion of the financial needs of local businesses and individuals. The Curry County Chamber of Commerce hosts many events annually that seek to contribute to local economic growth, while the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation works toward the successful union of development and industrial expansion. Cannon Air Force Base and a small Army National Guard
unit exist in Clovis. Clovis has recently had an economic boom with many new stores and restaurants as well as new hotels opening in the northern and mid-town areas of the city due to new industry being present and the idea of expansion of the Cannon Air Force Base.
Clovis is adjacent to Cannon Air Force Base
, a special operations base
. This military installation has a large impact on the community and typically receives a great deal of support from local civic and business leaders. Clovis hosts a local organization, the Committee of Fifty, whose stated purpose is to express support for Cannon AFB. The nearby community of Portales also has a similar organization, the Military Affairs Committee.
Now, 27th Operations Wing. Thanks to the BRAC and heavy politics, Cannon AFB is the primary reason for a prosper Clovis economy.
serving Clovis. It is part of the Presbyterian Hospital system based in Albuquerque, New Mexico
. There are numerous private physician practices, as well as nursing home
s, home health care firms, and other medical practitioners, including at least one traditional Hispanic
healer (consejero de salud).
Southwest, Spanish Mission, or Adobe architectural styles are prevalent, being considered representative of New Mexico. Much of Clovis architecture is indistinguishable from the group of styles prevalent throughout the United States' small cities and suburbs since the 1930s.
The Hotel Clovis
, a local landmark, opened on October 20, 1931. At the time of its construction it was the tallest building between Albuquerque
and Dallas, Texas
. The hotel was designed by architect
Robert Merrill, combining an Art Deco
exterior with Southwestern Indian interior. The elegant ballroom hosted such names as Louis Armstrong
, Glenn Miller
, Tommy Dorsey
, and Hank Williams. The nearby train depot supplied the hotel with most of its business. Hotel Clovis closed its doors shortly after the Santa Fe Railroad discontinued passenger train service to Clovis. The building is currently unused and frequently vandalized.
Clovis is also home to the aesthetically significant, Art Deco-style Lyceum auditorium and the State Theater. The Lyceum auditorium has been restored and often hosts plays and shows.
The climate is relatively temperate with low humidity. Summers are warm with few extremes of heat and winters are cool with few extremes of cold. Severe thunderstorms are frequent in the spring. Rainstorms are prevalent in the summer, typically in the evening. A few snowfalls occur each winter.Landscape of the town and surrounding area is stereotypically flat, though to the south, near Portales, undulating hills are found. Most open land is grassland, much of which has been converted into grazing land. Much land is also farmed, with a high degree of irrigation
use.
, Clovis Community College
(CCC). Eastern New Mexico University
in nearby Portales
, New Mexico
, is the nearest four-year college
/university
.
Many local high school graduates attend the University of New Mexico
in Albuquerque, Texas Tech University
in Lubbock, Texas
(90 miles away), or New Mexico State University
in Las Cruces
.
n Clovis culture
. They date to the Paleoindian period around 13,500 years ago.
Studios and generally 50s Rock'n'Roll or Country acts. The Clovis Civic Center has hosted this and some other entertainment events. A Special events center has been built adjacent to the county fairgrounds. The Special events center will hold events such as rodeos, auctions, and concerts.
The town achieved some fame in the 1950s as it is home to the Norman Petty
Recording Studio, founded by early pop musician Norman Petty, at which rock
pioneers Buddy Holly
& The Crickets
and other prominent early pop music artists recorded. In fact, The Crickets trademark #1 song, "That'll Be The Day" was recorded in Clovis.
Currently there are several local musicians performing in the area: Johnny Mulhair (engineer and producer on LeAnn Rimes first hit "Blue"), Andy Mason, and Sansietch (known for songs written about the Clovis area). It is also the home of Blues Farm Records which supports several New Mexico acts including Sansietch, Gary Gorence, Mark Kelley and Tim O'Rourke.
, as well as preaching (typically Protestant Christian) and other religious-themed broadcasts are common on local radio. Several Spanish-language
stations are tunable, broadcasting largely Mexican music and a proportion of Christian-themed content, mostly music.
Several stations are rebroadcast to Clovis, such as Albuquerque's M88 (KLYT
) found at 88.1 MHz.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Curry County
Curry County, New Mexico
Curry County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The population was approximately 45,044 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Clovis. It is named in honor of George Curry, territorial governor of New Mexico from 1907 to 1910...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775.
Clovis is located in the Llano Estacado
Llano Estacado
Llano Estacado , commonly known as the Staked Plains, is a region in the Southwestern United States that encompasses parts of eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas, including the South Plains and parts of the Texas Panhandle...
and eastern New Mexico regions. The largely agricultural town is also noted for its role in early rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
history. Nearby Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately southwest of Clovis, New Mexico. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Force Special Operations Command ....
has a significant impact on the community.
It is the principal city of the Clovis Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Clovis-Portales Combined Statistical Area
Clovis-Portales combined statistical area
The Clovis-Portales Combined Statistical Area is made up of two counties in east central New Mexico. The statistical area consists of the Clovis Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Portales Micropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Geography
Clovis is located at 34°24′45"N 103°12′17"W (34.412509, −103.204611). It lies at approximately 4281 feet (1,304.8 m) above sea level (1304 m).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 22.5 square miles (58.3 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.44%) is water.
This water area is primarily artificial ponds in Clovis' several public parks.
Portales
Portales
-Places:* Portales, New Mexico, a city from the United States* Portales Forest Reserve, in New Mexico-Organizations:* Diego Portales University, a Chilean University* Metro Portales, a Mexican station of metro...
, 17 miles (27.4 km) south, is home to Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
and has a variety of restaurants, furniture stores, and specialty shops. Medical care in Clovis is provided by the Plains Regional Medical Center and in Portales by Roosevelt General Hospital.
History
The eastern New MexicoEastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico is a region of the U.S. state of New Mexico. The region is sometimes termed the "High Plains" or even "Little Texas". The region is largely coterminous with the Llano Estacado. Eastern New Mexico is generally located at an altitude of over 4,000 feet and is mostly characterized...
region was home to the prehistoric Clovis culture
Clovis culture
The Clovis culture is a prehistoric Paleo-Indian culture that first appears 11,500 RCYBP , at the end of the last glacial period, characterized by the manufacture of "Clovis points" and distinctive bone and ivory tools...
, an anthropologically significant early group of Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. Historical remains have been found at the Blackwater Draw
Blackwater Draw
Blackwater Draw is a dry stream channel about long, heading in Curry County, New Mexico, about southwest of Texico, New Mexico and trending generally southeastward across the Llano Estacado to the city of Lubbock, Texas, where it joins Yellow House Draw to form Yellow House Canyon at the head of...
site (south of the Clovis, near Portales
Portales, New Mexico
Portales is a city in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census. Portales is located near the larger city of Clovis as well as Cannon Air Force Base, a major contributor to the economy of the region.Eastern New Mexico...
), which remains a historical and tourist
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
site.
Clovis began in 1906, when the Santa Fe Railroad was being built through the area and railway engineers were ordered to choose a town site. At first known as Riley's Switch, it was renamed Clovis by the station master's daughter, who at the time was studying about Clovis
Clovis I
Clovis Leuthwig was the first King of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler, changing the leadership from a group of royal chieftains, to rule by kings, ensuring that the kingship was held by his heirs. He was also the first Catholic King to rule over Gaul . He was the son...
, the first Catholic king of the Franks. The settlement built up quickly and in 1909 was incorporated.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 32,667 people, 12,458 households, and 8,596 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,458.9 people per square mile (563.3/km²). There were 14,269 housing units at an average density of 637.3 per square mile (246.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.3% White, 7.32% African American, 1.02% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 14.98% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino were 33.44% of the population.
There were 12,458 households out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was 30.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were ages 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,878, and the median income for a family was $33,622. Males had a median income of $26,586 versus $20,375 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,561. About 17.2% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
Events
On August 24, 2008, eight prisoners escaped from the Clovis Jail by shimmying up plumbing pipes. The escape was highlighted on the television show America's Most WantedAmerica's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
.
Clovis celebrated its Centennial during 2009.
Economics and industry
Like most of east-central New Mexico and west TexasWest Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
, the vicinity hosts agriculture and ranching, including peanut and cotton farming and cattle ranching, for meat and dairy production. Several processing plants exist for these products. In 2004, construction began on the Southwest Cheese Company plant geographically located between Clovis and Portales, which commenced operations in late 2005 providing a substantial boost to the local economy employing over 200 personnel. It is one of the largest plants of its type in the world, processing in excess of 2.3 billion pounds of milk yearly, provided by the numerous local dairies.
A high proportion of local residents are employed in the services sector. Dillard's
Dillard's
Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
and Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
have a large impact among retail consumption in the community, though smaller stores including regional and national supermarket chains do exist. The convenience store Allsup's
Allsup's
Allsup's, sometimes misspelled as Allsups, is a family-owned chain of convenience stores that serves New Mexico and Texas, with one store in Frederick, Oklahoma. Although founded in Roswell, NM in 1956 by Lonnie and Barbara Allsup, its corporate offices have been located in Clovis, NM for decades....
is headquartered in Clovis. Railroad transport formerly contributed to economic growth in the early years of the towns development and like many small towns still maintains an important role in the economy. In the finance sector, large national and regional institutions such as Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
and Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
are present and manage a large portion of the financial needs of local businesses and individuals. The Curry County Chamber of Commerce hosts many events annually that seek to contribute to local economic growth, while the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation works toward the successful union of development and industrial expansion. Cannon Air Force Base and a small Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
unit exist in Clovis. Clovis has recently had an economic boom with many new stores and restaurants as well as new hotels opening in the northern and mid-town areas of the city due to new industry being present and the idea of expansion of the Cannon Air Force Base.
Clovis is adjacent to Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately southwest of Clovis, New Mexico. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Force Special Operations Command ....
, a special operations base
Military base
A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations. In general, a military base provides accommodations for one or more units, but it may also be used as a...
. This military installation has a large impact on the community and typically receives a great deal of support from local civic and business leaders. Clovis hosts a local organization, the Committee of Fifty, whose stated purpose is to express support for Cannon AFB. The nearby community of Portales also has a similar organization, the Military Affairs Committee.
BRAC 2005
Formerly, Cannon was an Air Combat Command base featuring the F-16 fighter aircraft, and was named the 27th Fighter Wing.Now, 27th Operations Wing. Thanks to the BRAC and heavy politics, Cannon AFB is the primary reason for a prosper Clovis economy.
Health care
Plains Regional Medical Center is the primary hospitalHospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
serving Clovis. It is part of the Presbyterian Hospital system based in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. There are numerous private physician practices, as well as nursing home
Nursing home
A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
s, home health care firms, and other medical practitioners, including at least one traditional Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
healer (consejero de salud).
Architecture
The Hotel Clovis
Hotel Clovis
The Hotel Clovis is a building in Clovis, New Mexico. It originally opened on October 20, 1931. Although now vacant, it originally served as a hotel. When it was built, it was the tallest building between Albuquerque, New Mexico and Dallas, Texas. Hotel Clovis was added to the National Register of...
, a local landmark, opened on October 20, 1931. At the time of its construction it was the tallest building between Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
and Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. The hotel was designed by architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Robert Merrill, combining an Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
exterior with Southwestern Indian interior. The elegant ballroom hosted such names as Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
, Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
, and Hank Williams. The nearby train depot supplied the hotel with most of its business. Hotel Clovis closed its doors shortly after the Santa Fe Railroad discontinued passenger train service to Clovis. The building is currently unused and frequently vandalized.
Clovis is also home to the aesthetically significant, Art Deco-style Lyceum auditorium and the State Theater. The Lyceum auditorium has been restored and often hosts plays and shows.
Climate and landscape
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
use.
Private schools
- Clovis Christian School
- Eastern Plains Early Head Start / Head Start
Public education
Clovis is served by several public schools making up the Clovis Municipal Schools:- Elementary schoolElementary schoolAn elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s
-
- Arts Academy at Bella Vista
- Barry Elem.
- Cameo Elem.
- Highland Elem.
- James Bickley Elem.
- La Casita Elem.
- Lockwood Elem.
- Los Ninos Pre-School
- Mesa Elem.
- Parkview Elem.
- Ranchvale Elem.
- Sandia Elem.
- Zia Elem.
- 3 Middle schoolMiddle schoolMiddle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
s- Marshall Middle School, Yucca Middle School and Gattis Middle School
- 1 Junior High
- Clovis High School Freshman Campus
- 1 High schoolHigh schoolHigh school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
- Clovis High School
- 1 Private SchoolPrivate schoolPrivate schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
- Clovis Christian School
Post-secondary education
For post-secondary education, there is one community collegeCommunity college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
, Clovis Community College
Clovis Community College
Clovis Community College , located in Clovis, New Mexico, is a higher education institution offering instruction at the associate's degree level...
(CCC). Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
in nearby Portales
Portales, New Mexico
Portales is a city in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census. Portales is located near the larger city of Clovis as well as Cannon Air Force Base, a major contributor to the economy of the region.Eastern New Mexico...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, is the nearest four-year college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
/university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
.
Many local high school graduates attend the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in Albuquerque, Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
(90 miles away), or New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University at Las Cruces , is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States...
in Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 97,618 in 2010 according to the 2010 Census, making it the second largest city in the state....
.
- Clovis formerly had a Catholic K-8 school as part of Sacred Heart Parish
Culture
Clovis gave its name to stone-age spear points that were found locally in 1929. Clovis points are the characteristically-fluted projectile points associated with the North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n Clovis culture
Clovis culture
The Clovis culture is a prehistoric Paleo-Indian culture that first appears 11,500 RCYBP , at the end of the last glacial period, characterized by the manufacture of "Clovis points" and distinctive bone and ivory tools...
. They date to the Paleoindian period around 13,500 years ago.
The arts
Performances, including music, drama, and other content, take place at Clovis Community College and nearby Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. Some Performances are also held at the Lyceum auditorium. The Clovis Music Festival is a high-profile event held annually at the beginning of September. The Festival has featured many artists who recorded at the Norman PettyNorman Petty
Norman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
Studios and generally 50s Rock'n'Roll or Country acts. The Clovis Civic Center has hosted this and some other entertainment events. A Special events center has been built adjacent to the county fairgrounds. The Special events center will hold events such as rodeos, auctions, and concerts.
Popular music
Norman Petty
Norman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
Recording Studio, founded by early pop musician Norman Petty, at which rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
pioneers Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
& The Crickets
The Crickets
The Crickets are a rock & roll band from Lubbock, Texas, formed by singer/songwriter Buddy Holly in the 1950s. Their first hit record was "That'll Be the Day", released in 1957....
and other prominent early pop music artists recorded. In fact, The Crickets trademark #1 song, "That'll Be The Day" was recorded in Clovis.
Currently there are several local musicians performing in the area: Johnny Mulhair (engineer and producer on LeAnn Rimes first hit "Blue"), Andy Mason, and Sansietch (known for songs written about the Clovis area). It is also the home of Blues Farm Records which supports several New Mexico acts including Sansietch, Gary Gorence, Mark Kelley and Tim O'Rourke.
Radio
Locally tunable stations have wide variety of content relatively typical of most of the United States, including music and talk broadcasting. Due to religious demographics of the area, Contemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
, as well as preaching (typically Protestant Christian) and other religious-themed broadcasts are common on local radio. Several Spanish-language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
stations are tunable, broadcasting largely Mexican music and a proportion of Christian-themed content, mostly music.
Several stations are rebroadcast to Clovis, such as Albuquerque's M88 (KLYT
KLYT
KLYT is a radio station broadcasting a Christian rock format. Licensed to Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, the station serves the New Mexico area. The station is currently owned by Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque, Inc. Marketed as "Static Radio," the station's format targets listeners ranging from...
) found at 88.1 MHz.
Notable natives
- Hank BaskettHank BaskettHenry Randall "Hank" Baskett III is a wide receiver who is currently a free agent. Baskett has played for three NFL teams, the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts....
, NFL football player for the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and married to Kendra WilkinsonKendra WilkinsonKendra Leigh Baskett , professionally known by her maiden name, is an American television personality and glamour model...
from The Girls Next DoorThe Girls Next DoorThe Girls Next Door, also known as The Girls of the Playboy Mansion, is an American reality television series broadcast on the E! cable television network... - Kenny BernsteinKenny BernsteinKenny Bernstein is an American drag racer and former NASCAR and IndyCar team owner. He is nicknamed the "Bud King" for his success in the Budweiser King dragster, he has also been nicknamed "The King of Speed," because he was the first driver to break 300 miles per hour in the standing-start...
, {"The King of Speed"}, US, drag racingDrag racingDrag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
driver and former NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
owner - John Thomas Harris, former MLB player
- Fred K. MahaffeyFred K. MahaffeyFred Keith Mahaffey was a United States Army four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command from 1985 to 1986. Considered a rising star in the Army, his career was cut short by cancer.-Military career:...
, United States Army general - Jerry NuzumJerry NuzumHidden El Paso: NFL player faced trial by fury after teen slainby Milan Simonich / El Paso TimesPosted: 12/13/2010 12:00:00 AM MSTClick photo to enlargePittsburgh Steeler Jerry Nuzum and his wife, Mary, in 1949 after the Dona Ana... «1»Hidden El Paso is an occasional series on overlooked people,...
, NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1948–1951 - Norman PettyNorman PettyNorman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
, musician, songwriter, record producer, and founder of Norman Petty Recording Studios - Angela Rockwood-Nguyen, actress who appeared on The Fast and The FuriousThe Fast and the Furious (2001 film)The Fast and the Furious is a 2001 street racing action film starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. Directed by Rob Cohen, The Fast and the Furious was the first mainstream film to feature the Asian automotive import scene in North America. It is the first film...
(un-credited) and V.I.P.V.I.P. (TV series)V.I.P. is an American action/comedy-drama series starring Pamela Anderson. Created by J. F... - D.J. Brigman, professional golfer who had played in the PGA Tour
- Carl HatchCarl HatchCarl Atwood Hatch was a Democratic Party politician from New Mexico who represented the Land of Enchantment in the United States Senate from 1933 until 1949....
, was a United States SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for the state of New Mexico from 1933-1949. - Matt OthickMatt OthickMatthew Brian Othick is a retired American professional basketball player and an independent film producer.-Biography:...
, retired Basketball Player who played for the San Antonio Spurs - Jaye Crockett, forward for the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team
- Shane C. Thurman, United States Air Force, co-founder of NBDz (Benjamin Carney), local legend.
External links
- City Of Clovis (official government website)
- Clovis News Journal
- A resource for the Clovis/ Portales/ Curry/ Roosevelt and Cannon Air Force Base Community