National Register Listing

Lamesa Farm Workers Community Historic District

a.k.a. Lamesa Farm Labor Supply Center

Jct. of US 87 and US 180, Los Ybanez, TX
The Farm Security Administration (FSA) built the Lamesa Farm Workers Community in 1941-42 in an effort to improve housing and living standards for migrant workers in the cotton-producing farmlands of the West Texas region. Careful planning grounded in the progressive traditions of New Deal era reform created an attractive community, one of about 100 similar camps across the nation. The Lamesa Farm Workers Community Historic District best represents these efforts in Texas as it retains the highest level of historic integrity among the nine FSA facilities constructed in the state. The cohesive collection of planned federal institutional housing is eligible for listing in the National Register in the area of Community Planning and Development. The establishment of the camp coincided with patterns in the state's agrarian economy during the 20th century, including the unstable labor supply situation, the shift in cotton production to the arid West Texas region, and increased mechanization. As a physical manifestation of these trends, the community is significant in the area of Agriculture. It also represents societal attitudes that resulted in the marginalization of Texas' rural Hispanic population, attaining significance in the areas of Ethnic Heritage and Social History at the local level of significance. Further studies aimed at establishing a statewide context for these areas could elevate the historic district's level of significance.
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development; Agriculture; Hispanic; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
Texas random facts
Dawson County, Texas, is located in the West Central part of the state and has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Apache. In the 1850s, settlers began to arrive, drawn by the opportunities for ranching and farming.

The county itself was officially established in 1876 and named after Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a hero of the Texas Revolution. The town of Lamesa was chosen as the county seat, and as the area developed, more towns and settlements sprung up, including Welch, Klondike, O'Donnell, Los Ybanez, and Ackerly.

Agriculture has always been a major part of Dawson County's economy. Initially, cattle ranching dominated the industry, but with the advent of irrigation, cotton became the primary crop in the early 20th century. Agriculture continues to be a significant sector today, with crops like cotton, sorghum, and peanuts being grown.

The discovery of oil in the 1920s brought a significant economic boost to Dawson County. Oil drilling and production became major industries, attracting workers and generating wealth. The county experienced periods of growth and decline as the oil industry fluctuated over the years.

Today, Dawson County is home to approximately 14,000 residents who continue to rely on agriculture and oil as important drivers of the local economy. The area also offers recreational opportunities, including reservoirs for fishing and boating, as well as hunting and birdwatching. The county's history and natural attractions make it an appealing destination for visitors seeking a taste of West Texas heritage.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Dawson County, Texas.

  • 1842 - The area that is now Dawson County is part of the disputed territory between the Republic of Texas and Mexico.
  • 1876 - Ranchers begin to settle in the area.
  • 1876 - The Texas legislature establishes Dawson County and it is named in honor of Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a soldier who died during the Battle of Salado Creek in the Texas Revolution.
  • 1905 - The town of Lamesa is established as the county seat.
  • 1910 - The first oil well is drilled in Dawson County, leading to increased economic activity.
  • 1933 - The discovery of the giant Seminole oil field brings further growth to the county.
  • 1940s - Cotton becomes an important crop in Dawson County.
  • 1960s-1970s - The county experiences an oil boom due to advances in drilling technology.
  • 1988 - The Dawson County Courthouse, built in 1911, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.