On January 31, 1899, the town of Bovina, Texas, officially got its name when a post office was established. Originally called “Bull Town” by railroad workers due to the cattle that lazily lounged near the tracks, the town’s history is deeply rooted in the cattle industry. Bovina’s origin dates back to its days as the Hay Hook Line Camp of the vast XIT Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranching operations in the world. Spanning three million acres across the Texas Panhandle, the XIT Ranch was a symbol of Texas ranching history, and Bovina was right in the heart of it. By the late 1890s, the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway steamed through the region, helping Bovina become a booming hub for cattle shipping, at one point handling the highest volume of cattle shipments in the world.
By 1905, settlers moved into the area and began building a vibrant community. Early establishments included two churches, a school, a general store, a barbershop, and even a boardinghouse that welcomed travelers—many of whom brought their own bedding! Land sales brought rapid growth, leading to the construction of a second hotel, a bank, and more homes. The South and West Land Company set up headquarters in Bovina, and the town’s population quickly rose to about 200 people by 1915. As agriculture and cattle remained the backbone of the economy, Bovina flourished into an important center for livestock marketing and farming.
Though the cattle boom slowed after World War I, Bovina continued to thrive. It was incorporated in 1948, with J.W. Kimbrow as its first mayor, and the community came together to establish new facilities, such as a volunteer fire department, a modern water system, and even a weekly newspaper, The Bovina Blade, in 1955. By the 1960s, the town had ambulance services and a clinic funded by the Sears Foundation. As of the mid-1980s, Bovina remained a tight-knit agricultural community with thriving businesses, churches, and a city park. Today, Bovina retains its legacy as a proud part of Texas history.