MULESHOE

Population. 4,551

Altitude 3,889

General

Seat of Bailey County, long a sparsely settled area of huge cattle ranches. Early in 20th Century the immense ranches began to break up, and farming was introduced to this area of the High Plains. Town organized in 1926, named for muleshoe brand of famous early ranch. Today a center for marketing and shipping of High Plains agricultural products.

Muleshoe Heritage Center, off U. S. 84, is in restored Santa Fe depot; offers museum and meeting place.

Attractions

• Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge-Founded 1935, oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas. Established principally for migratory waterfowl, also home of native wildlife. Three small rainwater lakes, unusual features on the plains, attract birds. Hunting is prohibited, but photography permitted. Among species wintering here is nation's largest concentration of sandhill cranes. Greatest numbers of waterfowl may usually be seen between late Aug. and Mar.; colony of prairie dogs is along entrance road. Open daylighthours. About 20 miles south on Texas 214.
• National Mule Memorial-What better place for a monument to mules than this uniquely named town? Mules pulled the covered wagons west, plowed the first sod for pioneers, hauled freight, built the first railroads and highways. With disappearance of mules from th American scene in recent decades, a group of Texas citizens determined to erect a memorial to those unsung beasts. Donations for the monument were received from throughout nation; in fact, a gift of 21 cents was sent by mule driver from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, U.S.S.R. The memorial, unveiled on July 4, 1965, is near intersection of U.S. 70/84 in downtown and is a popular picture-taking site.
• Today wagons and mule teams still can be seen on Muleshoe's main streets and Mule Day is celebrated the second Sat. in Aug., hosting mule rodeo, mule races, and other activities.

Back to Main | Advertiser's Index | City Index