Sheffield (Sheffield)

Spanish explorers traveled Indian trails here in the Pecos River Valley as early as 1590. Later, U.S. Cavalry, a camel train, and stage and mail lines between San Antonio and San Diego, California, used the route. Nearby Pecos Spring attracted settlers to the area in the 1880s and 90s. Families lived in tents on the north side of the creek and hauled water from the spring. About 1890 a community water well was dug. Early residents were sheep and cattle ranchers. Mail and supplies had to be brought from San Angelo and Ozona. About 1901 Will Sheffield built a grocery and dry goods store approximately one mile from the spring. A post office opened with Will Sheffield as postmaster. Since he was the first to operate a store, the settlement was named for him. A saloon was opened, and in 1901 a school was begun with sixty-four pupils. After living for several years in tents, residents began building permanent homes. Garrett Bean purchased a section of land from the state where the present townsite is located and drew off town lots in 1905. Well-known Texas Ranger Frank Hamer got his start in law enforcement here. Sheffield offers churches and a trade center for area ranches.

Sheffield is a historical marker in Sheffield, Pecos County. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Pecos County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 39 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.6901, -101.8254 near Sheffield. The nearest cataloged historic site is Sheffield (cemetery), about 1.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Canon Ranch Railroad Eclipse Windmill, Memory Garden Cemetery, and Iraan.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5371004665. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.