As I mentioned last month, I am posting interesting facts about New Mexico on our Facebook page in order to generate interest in New Mexico and Tucumcari Ranch Supply.  Last month I talked about the period from 1923 through 1932 with facts taken from the New Mexico Magazine article.  During February I want to talk about the period from 1933 through 1942.
The Great Depression didn't leave New Mexico unaffected and by 1933, the worst year of the prolonged crisis, 25% of New Mexico's skilled workers were unemployed and more than half of the unskilled workers in rural New Mexico were unemployed.  Drought conditions made the situation even worse for farmers and ranchers living in the northeastern section of the state.  Windstorms blew fine dust everywhere, burying crops, choking livestock and limiting tourism for the state.  The above conditions inspired John Steinbeck's book, Grapes of Wrath, and caused thousands of people in New Mexico's Dust Bowl region to abandon their homes and move west.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected US President in 1932, with help from New Mexican voters. He proposed a New Deal to assist the economy.  New Mexico acquired more New Deal money per capita than any other state in the union.  The Works Project Administration (WPA) hired unemployed workers to build roads, schools, post offices, buildings, etc. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to conserve the state's natural resources.  If New Mexico hadn't received New Deal funds, it would have taken the state decades to complete these improvements by itself.
Local New Deal construction projects included Conchas Dam, the Quay County Courthouse and several school buildings.  Most of these facilities are still standing today and are currently in use.

New Mexico History:
New Mexico entered the 1920's with lots of energy.  New Mexico granted women the right to vote in an amendment in 1920 and we were all enjoying prosperity.
Railroads brought tourists in great numbers and the Southwestern Indian Detours transported tourists by car to pueblos and other natural wonders, such as Carlsbad Caverns.
Artists and writers also discovered New Mexico and began to develop groups which flourished in the New Mexico culture.
The discovery of oil in the Permian basin of southeastern New Mexico in 1924 created a very lucrative industry.  Oil field workers came in and created boomtowns, one of which was Hobbs located in the southeast part of the state.  Autos now challenged the railroads as the nation's primary means of transportation.  Modern highways sprang up criss-crossing the nation.  One of these was the modern Route 66 which was authorized in 1926.
Although many increased their wealth, great numbers of rural farmers and ranchers barely survived.  Most New Mexicans were so poor that they barely noticed when the Great Depression began in 1929.
(Information taken from New Mexican magazine).

New Mexico turns 100 years old in 2012.  To celebrate this awesome occurrence I am posting facts about New Mexico daily on the Facebook page for Tucumcari Ranch Supply.  It is amazing some of the things that we take for granted.
In order to encourage you keep checking out these facts about New Mexico, we are putting together a contest which will soon be ready.  I'll let you know when it is ready and how to play.  In the meantime, keep reading these daily factoids and continue to increase your knowledge about New Mexico and all it has to offer residents and visitors.
Those of us who live in New Mexico know how lucky we are to greet each day with amazing sunrises and to end each day with even more beautiful sunsets.  We would love to share these with you and welcome you to come visit New Mexico and perhaps, if you are lucky enough, to find a reason to stay.

Brand New Look for Tucumcari Ranch Supply

Wow! The new revised web page for Tucumcari Ranch Supply is up and running. Hope you like the new look for the page. Please send us your feedback so we can continue to upgrade the site.

Just a note to ask you to check out the Ranch Supply Facebook page also. If you aren't currently one of our users, please check it out and join our group.

Tucumcari Ranch Supply is constantly trying to improve our customer service and product offerings. Please help us with your feedback.

Busy Weel at Ranch Supply

Boy, what a week! Jimmy has been very busy cleaning up around the store. He has talked about it for a long time but just never got around to it. Can't say that anymore. It is amazing just how big the back lot is behind the store.
This was also a week when we lost two very good friends at Ranch Supply. Mike Bonds passed away last week and yesterday Flo Latham passed on. We will surely miss these good people and want to extend our condolences to their families.
Well the fair came and went and from all accounts was very successful. Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's fair. We are very proud of all those kids that worked so hard to get to the fair and ultimately the sale. Good luck at Roswell and State Fair to those going on with their animals.
We have also received several orders this week which we have been expecting for a while. We now have our children Wranglers back in stock and today we received our kids Roper boots. We have a full range of sizes in both of these items.
If you are looking for a gift idea, come by and check out our Southwestern Soaps and Lotions that are made in Angel Fire, New Mexico. There are four scents to choose from and they are all great.
We also received our jewelry from Cowboy Collectibles which is made from horsehair. We have chokers, bracelets and key chains. Come by and let us show these to you.
Don't forget that we are now your local Farmway feed dealer. We get a weekly delivery to keep our feed fresh. Come by and check our prices. We are very competitive! This feed is made in New Mexico for our New Mexico producers. We are very proud to offer this feed to our customers.
And last but not least, drive by and check out the mural Doug is working on across the street from the Kiva RV Park. It is amazing!
Don't forget about Watson's BBQ serving Friday and Saturday. This weekend, Marsha Byrd is having an auction across the street from Ranch Supply. You can go to the auction and have lunch with Watson's BBQ.

2011 Quay County Fair

Just wanted to remind everyone that this weekend is the 2011 Quay County Fair. Most of the shows will have taken place by now but Saturday has several activities which will appeal to everyone, from a pet show parade, goat roping, to miniature bull riding which is a new event this year. Please try to make some of the events on Saturday as lots of time and effort have gone into providing these activities for us. Most importantly, don't forget the livestock sale which starts around 6:00 p.m. Saturday. The kids who made it to the sale have worked really hard to get their animals into top shape and your support will allow them to continue next year. Make plans now to show your support for the kids of Quay County who have worked so hard by attending the livestock sale on Saturday.

Also, please continue to pray for rain as we desperately need the moisture.

WELCOME HOME RATTLER ALUMNI

Well I can't believe it's already time for another Rattler Reunion and that it's also my 40th. WOW!@@@

Welcome home Rattlers and we hope that you enjoy your visit. If you can, make plans to come by and visit with Jimmy and the rest of us here at Tucumcari Ranch Supply. We hope to see lots of our classmates and friends during the weekend.

Please have fun and stay safe.