History
There have been other communities in Loving County. Porterville is now just a bare patch along the highway because of river floods and Hay Flat was on the county line with Winkler but it never really had a chance because of a drought. Porterville was originally called Juanita in 1910 but had to move a short ways north in 1930 because of a flood and, in 1931, the name was changed to Mentone. The original Mentone was northwest of there. Woody was the farthest north and was just a stop on the Butterfield Trail. The Butterfield Overland only ran for two years and Woody ceased to exist very quickly.Postmasters and Post Offices, 1893-1930
from
Texas Post Offices by County, Vol. 3
by John J. Germann & Myron R. Janzensubmitted by Jane Keppler
On the far-flung edge of West Texas, bounded by New Mexico and the Pecos River, lies Loving County - the least populated county in Texas. Its nine-one inhabitants in 1980 boasted of no railroad, no bank, no school, no hospital, not even a cemetery on its 671 square miles of arid real estate (the county gets only a shade over 10 inches of rainfall per year). Its seat, Mentone, is the smallest county seat in Texas; it has two businesses in its "downtown district" - one service station and one cafe - and it imports its drinking water from larger communities in the general area.
The first explorer to venture into the area was the Spaniard de Sosa in 1500. It remained relatively forbidding and forgotten until the state of Texas created the county out of Tom Green County in 1887 and named it for Oliver Loving, the famed cattle driver whose Goodnight-Loving Trail passed by the area. Loving County was also the last West Texas county to be organized, in 1893. However, there were not enough people to warrant and support a county government until 1931, following the "boom" which ensued after the discovery of oil in 1925. Fleeing Porterville and its chronic Pecos River inundations, the county citizenry established Mentone, the one and only county seat and the one and only town. It borrowed the named from Old Mentone, the county's first town and post office which had been established much farther west and which had died a quick and quiet death.
The county's economy, based almost exclusively upon ranching and the ever more automated oil and gas industry, has never been large, In 1890 only three people called the county home. In 1920 that number had grown to a mere 82; the population peaked at 285 in 1940, and since then has consistently shrunk to but 91. In 1985, the county recorded no births and one death for the year.
Historical Markers
Goodnight - Loving Trail
TX-302, roadside park, ½ mile SW of Mentone
Blazed from the Fort Griffin-Dodge City Trail, through New Mexico to Colorado about 1860 by Oliver Loving 1812- 1867, first cattle trail driver from Texas.
TX-302, roadside park, ½ mile SW of Mentone
Blazed from the Fort Griffin-Dodge City Trail, through New Mexico to Colorado about 1860 by Oliver Loving 1812- 1867, first cattle trail driver from Texas.
Loving County
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Formed from Tom Green County, created February 26, 1887. Organized July 8, 1893, named in honor of Oliver Loving, 1812-1867, farmer, rancher and an early trail driver. Mentone, the county seat
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Formed from Tom Green County, created February 26, 1887. Organized July 8, 1893, named in honor of Oliver Loving, 1812-1867, farmer, rancher and an early trail driver. Mentone, the county seat
Mentone
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Only town in Loving County -- last organized, most sparsely populated (both in total and per square mile) county in Texas.
Established 1931 and named for an earlier town (10 miles north) which legend says was maned by a French surveyor-prospector after his home on the Riviera. With population of 42, Mentone has no water system. (Water is hauled in.) Nor does it have a bank, doctor, hospital, newspaper, lawyer, civic club, or cemetery.
There are only two recorded graves in county; some Indian skeletons, artifacts are found. Oil, farming, cattle county
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Only town in Loving County -- last organized, most sparsely populated (both in total and per square mile) county in Texas.
Established 1931 and named for an earlier town (10 miles north) which legend says was maned by a French surveyor-prospector after his home on the Riviera. With population of 42, Mentone has no water system. (Water is hauled in.) Nor does it have a bank, doctor, hospital, newspaper, lawyer, civic club, or cemetery.
There are only two recorded graves in county; some Indian skeletons, artifacts are found. Oil, farming, cattle county
Mentone Community Church
TX-302, 3 blks. N. of courthouse, Mentone
Built 1910 in Porterville, a town abandoned after Pecos River flood of 1930. Moved here for school and social center. Also used by various church groups and for non-denominational worship. Oldest building in Loving County
TX-302, 3 blks. N. of courthouse, Mentone
Built 1910 in Porterville, a town abandoned after Pecos River flood of 1930. Moved here for school and social center. Also used by various church groups and for non-denominational worship. Oldest building in Loving County
Oliver Loving, C. S. A.
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Only Texan instrumental in mapping 3 major cattle trails: Shawnee, Western and Goodnight-Loving Trails.
Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas 1845, to farm, haul freight, deal in cattle. Started large Palo Pinto County ranch. In 1858, drove herd to Chicago -- first time in history Texas cattle trailed to northern market. In 1859 drove to Denver.
When Civil War broke out, 1861, was Confederate beef contractor, furnishing meat to army commissaries. Served on 24-hour patrol squad against Indians in frontier town of Weatherford. Mapped an 1862 expedition by 300 or more Texans to wipe out depredating Indians on the home grounds in Colorado, but failed to get necessary men to put this plan into action.
After the war, with Charles Goodnight, drove cattle from Palo Pinto to Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos, then up the river to Indian reservations and forts in New Mexico. In 1867 on this trail, was shot by Comanches: crawled 5 miles, chewing an old kid glove for food. Hauled at price of $250 to Fort Sumner by Mexican traders, he had wounds treated, but died of gangrene. Partner packed corpse in charcoal, hauled him to Weatherford for burial, fulfilling last wish.
Loving County was named for him in 1887
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Only Texan instrumental in mapping 3 major cattle trails: Shawnee, Western and Goodnight-Loving Trails.
Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas 1845, to farm, haul freight, deal in cattle. Started large Palo Pinto County ranch. In 1858, drove herd to Chicago -- first time in history Texas cattle trailed to northern market. In 1859 drove to Denver.
When Civil War broke out, 1861, was Confederate beef contractor, furnishing meat to army commissaries. Served on 24-hour patrol squad against Indians in frontier town of Weatherford. Mapped an 1862 expedition by 300 or more Texans to wipe out depredating Indians on the home grounds in Colorado, but failed to get necessary men to put this plan into action.
After the war, with Charles Goodnight, drove cattle from Palo Pinto to Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos, then up the river to Indian reservations and forts in New Mexico. In 1867 on this trail, was shot by Comanches: crawled 5 miles, chewing an old kid glove for food. Hauled at price of $250 to Fort Sumner by Mexican traders, he had wounds treated, but died of gangrene. Partner packed corpse in charcoal, hauled him to Weatherford for burial, fulfilling last wish.
Loving County was named for him in 1887
Route of Old Butterfield Stagecoach Road
TX-302, roadside park, ½ mile SW of Mentone
Over these tracks passed the Butterfield Stage, 1858-1861, providing for first time in history a combined passenger and mail service from Atlantic to Pacific coast. Operating westward from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield's company used 1,350 mules and horses and 90 Concord coaches and wagons.
Stages traveled rapidly, despite lack of real roads. A signal given approaching a station would assure food on table for travelers, and fresh horses ready.
Stations were 12 to 113 miles apart. Route changes were often made to obtain water. The passengers and crew wore guns. Indians liked horses, so to reduce the danger of Indian attacks, mules were used west of Ft. Belknap. Trip one way took 25 days -- 7 consumed in crossing Texas, from near Preston (now under Lake Texoma) to Jacksboro, Ft. Belknap, Ft. Chadbourne, and El Paso. One-way fare for the 2,700 miles was $200.
This marks a 113-mile span, from Emigrants' Crossing (82 mi.S) to Pope's Crossing (31 mi.N), that on inaugural trip, Sept. 16 - Oct. 12, 1858, had no team-change. Route ran parallel to Pecos River. By November there were 3 change stations in this area, one being Skillman's Stop (6 mi.N). Route was shortened in 1860, going by Forts Stockson, Davis and Quitman, west of the Pecos
TX-302, roadside park, ½ mile SW of Mentone
Over these tracks passed the Butterfield Stage, 1858-1861, providing for first time in history a combined passenger and mail service from Atlantic to Pacific coast. Operating westward from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield's company used 1,350 mules and horses and 90 Concord coaches and wagons.
Stages traveled rapidly, despite lack of real roads. A signal given approaching a station would assure food on table for travelers, and fresh horses ready.
Stations were 12 to 113 miles apart. Route changes were often made to obtain water. The passengers and crew wore guns. Indians liked horses, so to reduce the danger of Indian attacks, mules were used west of Ft. Belknap. Trip one way took 25 days -- 7 consumed in crossing Texas, from near Preston (now under Lake Texoma) to Jacksboro, Ft. Belknap, Ft. Chadbourne, and El Paso. One-way fare for the 2,700 miles was $200.
This marks a 113-mile span, from Emigrants' Crossing (82 mi.S) to Pope's Crossing (31 mi.N), that on inaugural trip, Sept. 16 - Oct. 12, 1858, had no team-change. Route ran parallel to Pecos River. By November there were 3 change stations in this area, one being Skillman's Stop (6 mi.N). Route was shortened in 1860, going by Forts Stockson, Davis and Quitman, west of the Pecos
Smallest County Seat in Texas
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Only town in Loving County -- last organized, most sparsely populated (both in total and per square mile) county in Texas. Established 1931 and named for an earlier town (10 miles north) which legend says was named by a French surveyor-prospector after his home on the Riviera. With population of 42, Mentone has no water system. (Water is hauled in.) Nor does it have a bank, doctor, hospital, newspaper, lawyer, civic club, or cemetery. There are only two recorded graves in county; some Indian skeletons, artifacts are found. Oil, farming, cattle country.
TX-302 & Dallas St., courthouse lawn, Mentone
Only town in Loving County -- last organized, most sparsely populated (both in total and per square mile) county in Texas. Established 1931 and named for an earlier town (10 miles north) which legend says was named by a French surveyor-prospector after his home on the Riviera. With population of 42, Mentone has no water system. (Water is hauled in.) Nor does it have a bank, doctor, hospital, newspaper, lawyer, civic club, or cemetery. There are only two recorded graves in county; some Indian skeletons, artifacts are found. Oil, farming, cattle country.