Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date …
1951: Furnishings for Portales’ new Hotel Cal Boykin had arrived, with crews to install them expected within the week.
Boykin had not set an official opening date, but hotel board members said the 60-room, $500,000 facility could begin receiving guests by June 15.
Each of the top three floors in the four-story building contained 20 bedrooms - one 24 x 14 feet, one 10 x 16 feet and 18 that were 13 x 12 feet.
Each bedroom had an adjoining bathroom with tub and built-in vanity case and each bedroom featured a built-in writing desk and luggage rack.
Boykin, a Texas hotel operator, had leased the property from stockholders.
1956: An estimated 10,000 people saw a jet fighter plane “grind into the ground and burst into flames,” The Associated Press reported.
The pilot, 2nd Lt. Warren Kimball, was stationed at Clovis Air Base. His plane, an F86H Sabrejet, was part of a firepower demonstration at Fort Bliss near El Paso.
Reporter Bill Russell described the crash:
The plane came in lower than two others in the formation. “The pilot seemed to be in trouble,” Russell said. “He managed to lower his tail a little as if he were getting control but continued roaring downward. … (H)e plowed in with a burst of orange flame.”
The remainder of the demonstration was canceled.
1971: Portales High School had graduated 156 seniors, including 76 that maintained a B or better average through high school, according to Superintendent L.C. Cozzens.
Four students spoke to their classmates, including Carolyn Brown, whom the Portales News-Tribune described as “a vivacious young lady with the enthusiasm of success in her endeavors up to date.”
“Only through hopes, plans and dreams will we make tomorrow,” she told classmates. “Without dreams, our tomorrows will make us.”
Gun safety, good food …
1951: The Dora FFA Club raised $304 from its annual spring barbecue.
The Portales Daily News reported 150 people attended the gathering.
In addition to the food, they enjoyed music by a string orchestra and watched movies about gun safety and fishing.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:
