Little remains of Field, created by the consolidation of three rural schools. Located at the junction of NM 288 and 224, it isn’t even indicated on the most recent map of New Mexico. The post office existed until 1924, but the mail now goes to Melrose.
Ranchvale is isolated on NM 311, six miles north of US 60 and Cannon Air Force Base. The post office existed in 1916-1917, but the mail now goes to Clovis. Rainfall was so little that grain cultivation wasn’t feasible, causing many homesteaders to leave without proving up (staying five years, or three years with some payment). Large acreages reverted to grazing land. Some settlers did stay, and diversified with dairying, livestock raising and a mixture of irrigated and dry farming. Later, water from the Ogallala Aquifier enabled the farmers to sow grains, soybeans and cotton. Ranchvale has the honor of building, in 1919, the first consolidated school in New Mexico.
Floyd is still a ranching community on NM 267, 16 miles west of Portales. Its post office, which still exists, was established in 1903, and was named for a pioneer of the area, Floyd Wharton. It is also a ranching community, as is almost all in this part of the state. Many of the same situations apply to Floyd, Ranchvale, and other communities in the area.. Those who stayed and toughed out the hard times were able to continue ranching.
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