The community of Granada was formed in the 1890’s and was later renamed after local rancher, John H. Given in 1911. Expansion quickly followed when the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railway came through the next year and a post office was established after another year. Nearby oil production made Girvin a main delivery point of supplies.
Two 1915 articles from the Fort Stockton Pioneer highlighted local optimism. A quote from G.H. Storey, of Girvin Lumber Co. said, “We are bound to grow, and it will not be a great while until Girvin is one of the most important towns in Pecos county and one of the largest shipping points on the Orient railway.” They also mentioned a newly built 6-room cottage and upcoming hotel, offices, and shops. The later article says, “If you want to live in a good town, move here.” Estimated population went from 15 to more than 3,000.
Unfortunately, the fruits of its location was short lived. U.S Highway 67 was built in 1933 and bypassed the town and what was originally the main road between Fort Stockton and Odessa. Train tracks used for freight were completely removed in 1944. The railroad depot and post office moved to the highway around 1955. The original part of Girvin was considered abandoned by the mid-1960’s. Population returned to the teens soon after.
Personal stories of residents were shared by The Odessa American in 1987. The town’s jail was several 6-8’ telephone poles with tall chains and locks. Lawbreakers would be chained by the legs and sometimes left for a week without food or water. Without full-time law enforcement, people would often bring hacksaws to help a jailbreak. According to Herman Zeitler, people came to Girvin for the oil boom and “the slump of ’30 hit and stranded them here.” And of later-year neighbors, “These are the best people in the world.” The former postmistress, Mildred Helmers bought the train depot and opened The Social Club, where “the older crowd” gathers every afternoon to talk and drink beer. Some described Girvin in these times as a place of peace and quiet, where people help others when in need.
If you drive through present-day Girvin, you will see there are still two business on either side of an intersection. The Social Club still remains for afternoon get-togethers, or you can grab a bite to eat at Newly’s.
