Swamp

Swamp and the Swamp Angel Ranch, established around 1890 when Thomas Estes moved into the area and laid out a town.

Swamp named for either, the marshy grass in the area that made the area look a swamp, or the mysterious mist that hovers above the area when weather conditions are just right. Located about 10 southwest of Lovington, Swamp was never surveyed.

The ranch house, store and several others buildings were completed to serve the needs of the ranch and in March of 1894, Estes, submitted an application for a local post office. The request was granted and the Swamp post office was established May 1st, 1894 with Thomas Estes as Postmaster..

After a little over a year on July 11th, 1895, Thomas resigned his position as postmaster and closed the post office. The low pay could not have paid his expenses and being away from the ranch during the hundred mile trip would have been a burden on the ranch.

Estes sold the Swamp Angel ranch in 1897, probably to the expanding HAT ranch that covered an area from the Pecos River into Texas, stopping just short of Brownfield.

Swamp history to be continued as information becomes available.

Informational sources:

Lea, New Mexico's Last Frontier...Gil Hinshaw

The History of Lea County Post Offices...James W. White