- Hoover, Laura and
William Peery - Hoover Divide,
from Ozona take I-10 west to US
290, go southwest about 4 miles to CR 406, go south about 16 miles
to Marker (at intersection with CR 409) (marker is on CR
406)
- 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.
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