Canyon in Randall County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lucille Nance Jones
(November 20, 1904 - December 1, 1977)
Bessie Lucille Parker was born in Arkansas to Thomas M. Parker and Jessie (Lay) Parker. The family moved to Texas and in 1924, Lucille married George E. Nance (1896-1954), a Hallettsville native. Lucille and George settled in the Canyon area and established the Nance Hereford Ranch. By 1925, the ranch covered 6,000 acres and primarily dealt in cattle. Through the 1940s and 1950s the Nance Ranch produced champion cattle and was nationally known as a leading purebred Hereford breeder.
After George died, Lucille operated the ranch, but eventually she leased the land to others. Married investment banker Lovell Leslie Jones (1899-1982). They decided to move into town and build a house in 1963, working closely with architect Norris E. Root, II, to retain their extensive antique collection. Each room was designed to accommodate specific furnishings. Lucille Nance Jones collected rococo-style items and art as she traveled around the world on vacations and to various livestock shows.
Later in life, Lucille began to donate items to various museums and institutions, including many art pieces, antiques and a bronze longhorn steer to the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum. In 1970, she donated more than 2,000 acres, including the headquarters of The Nance Ranch, to West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University) to be used for agricultural education. After her death, she was laid to rest in Dreamland Cemetery outside Canyon Next to her first husband George Nance. Through her influence as a rancher, businesswoman and art collector. Lucille Nance Jones established a lasting legacy in West Texas.
Erected 2020 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 22809.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 34° 58.647′ N, 101° 54.473′ W. Marker is in Canyon, Texas, in Randall County. Marker is on Taylor Lane just south of Conner Drive, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Taylor Ln, Canyon TX 79015, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of an Early Barbed Wire Fence in the Panhandle (approx. ¼ mile away); Co. F, 2nd Bn., 142nd Inf., 36th Div., Texas National Guard (approx. ¼ mile away); Georgia O'Keeffe in Canyon (approx. half a mile away); T-Anchor Ranch (approx. half a mile away); The Charles Goodnight Memorial Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Buffalo Courts (approx. 0.6 miles away); First National Bank (approx. 0.7 miles away); Roof with Snow / Kimbrough House (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canyon.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2022, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2022, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.