Hoover, Laura and William Peery
Hoover Divide, Crockett County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Although Indians, Spaniards, wagon trains, and military expeditions crossed through this area earlier, the first permanent settlers in present-day Crockett County were native Texans Laura (McNutt) (1862-1941) and William Peery Hoover (1854-1922), who settled here in 1881. Traveling by way of the Devils River and Beaver Lake, they migrated to this area with two children and 200 head of longhorn cattle. Their first home, constructed of cedar pickets, was located under a bluff overlooking the Pecos River. The Hoovers had fourteen children, five of whom died in infancy. Isolated, the family had to be self-sufficient, since supply trips to the nearest towns, over 75 miles away, took several days. Laura and William Hoover steadily acquired land and their holdings grew to over 100,000 acres. Their cattle were identified by the "Hoo" brand. The Hoovers later moved to present-day Ozona (50 miles northeast) and became active in the development of the community. William was instrumental in the formation of Crockett County and helped organize the Ozona National Bank. 100 years after the Hoovers settled in this area, much of their land is still owned by descendants.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1881 Laura and William Peery Hoover became the first permanent settlers of what is now Crockett County, arriving with two children and 200 longhorns to build a cedar-picket home above the Pecos River. Isolated 75 miles from the nearest town, the family grew to fourteen children and steadily assembled a ranch of more than 100,000 acres branded "Hoo." They later helped found the town of Ozona and its first bank.
Why it matters
The Hoovers' story captures the self-reliant ranching families who turned the arid West Texas frontier into working cattle country still held by their descendants.
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Related people
- · Laura McNutt Hoover
- · William Peery Hoover
Themes & tags
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