Portales in Roosevelt County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Portales Depot
Centennial Marker
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, Oct 2022
1. Portales Depot Marker
In 1879, the first ranch was established in the area. The Pecos Valley and Northeastern Railroad (known locally as the Pea Vine) did not reach this box tent establishment until 1898, but was instrumental to the founding of Portales. In 1899 the first train depot was completed two blocks east of this point. Soon railroad passengers decided to homestead in the area where the farming and ranching industry blossomed.
After more than a decade of feuding and raising funds, Portales and other surrounding towns were denied a terminal due to the favorable price and location of what is now Clovis. This eastern terminal led to the establishment of Clovis but also to the downfall of other railroad stations in the area.
In 1912, after almost two decades of operating under the Pea Vine name, AT&SF acquired the rail line and developed the new depot station as it stands today. This depot evokes the Mission Revival style and is finished in stuccoed pebbles which compliment the red clay tile roof, wooden details, and parapet copings. The Santa Fe logo can be found in the parapet facing Avenue A toward downtown. The Portales Depot closed when the passenger service from Clovis to Carlsbad ended circa 1965.
Today the presence of the Portales Depot is a reminder of this town's importance as a shipping point
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 34° 11.17′ N, 103° 20.284′ W. Marker is in Portales, New Mexico, in Roosevelt County. It is at the intersection of West 1st Street and N Avenue A, on the right when traveling south on West 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 W 1st St, Portales NM 88130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Roosevelt County Museum (approx. Ύ mile away); Portales (approx. 0.8 miles away); Eastern New Mexico University (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Portales (approx. 1.7 miles away); Rose Powers White (approx. 6.7 miles away); Blackwater Draw (approx. 6.7 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Roosevelt County Museum (was approx. Ύ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 26, 2026
2. Portales Depot Marker in front of post office
The depot can be seen in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 23, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 27, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
