McNARY, TEXAS

Hudspeth County, West Texas

I-10 and State Hwy 20
2 miles from the Mexican Border
E of Fort Hancock
28 miles W of Sierra Blanca the county seat
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 Forum

Subject: 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

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Hudspeth County 1920s Map showing Nulo
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Hudspeth County 1940s Map showing McNary
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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