Historical Marker
J. S. Means Ranch House
Historical marker location:
700 W. Broadway, Andrews, Texas
( W. Broadway, Chamber of Commerce property (moved from ranch site northeast of town in 2011))
Marker installed: 1974
Built in 1900, this is one of the oldest houses in Andrews County. S. H. Purcell, his wife, and two relatives each filed on a section of public land, building this home where section-corners met, so that each individual could fulfill the legal requirement to live on his claim. Soon after proving their claims, they sold out to Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Means, who then (1904) owned 14 sections. Adding much more land, the Means family established a very successful working ranch. It continues to run cattle, even though the range has contained oil fields since the 1920s. (1974).