How a remote West Texas desert county became a hub for ancient and modern life

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Reeves County, a vast expanse in the Trans-Pecos region, has long been defined by its relationship with water. From prehistoric Clovis hunters seeking shelter near springs to Mescalero Apache farmers and modern oil industry workers, this arid landscape has sustained diverse populations through centuries of dramatic economic and political transformation.

Located in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, Reeves County was officially organized on November 4, 1884, named after Confederate colonel and state legislator George Robertson Reeves. The area's history is deeply tied to its geography; prehistoric Clovis culture peoples utilized local rock shelters near water sources, while the Jumano Indians guided Spanish explorers like Antonio de Espejo through the region in 1582–1583. By the 19th century, the Mescalero Apache were known to irrigate crops at San Solomon Springs, a site later transformed into Balmorhea State Park by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The county's economic identity has shifted significantly over time. After the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881, the region transitioned from open-range ranching to a focus on farming, manufacturing, and eventually the oil industry. This evolution included the establishment of the Pecos Army Air Field in 1942, which trained Women Airforce Service Pilots before its deactivation in 1945. Today, the county is home to the Reeves County Detention Complex, which is described as the largest private prison in the world.

Demographically and politically, the county has seen notable changes. As of the 2020 census, the population reached 14,748, with Hispanic or Latino residents comprising 84.8% of the total. Recent years have marked a significant political shift; between 2012 and 2024, the county experienced one of the most pronounced rightward movements in the United States, with the Republican presidential vote share increasing by 53 percentage points. Despite its vast size of over 2,642 square miles, only a tiny fraction—about 0.25%—is covered by water, underscoring the precious nature of the resources that have drawn inhabitants to this desert landscape for millennia.

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