Ozona History

August 19, 1926
Ben Ingham had the misfortune to lose, through a fire of undetermined origin, his ranch home and contents, last Thursday. Those on the ranch at the time, of which one was Mr. Ingham, were at the corrals a short distance away, and did not notice the blaze until too late to save anything out of the house except a trunk of clothing. The greatest loss was from the ranch equipment stored in the house. The burned house was one of the oldest, if not the oldest ranch house in Crockett County, one of the old landmarks of this section and its loss causes regret. Mr. Ingham plans to replace the destroyed building with a stucco finish concrete house.

August 20, 1936
The spirit of the pioneers will circulate through the crowds at Howard Well ranch next Saturday when voters of Precinct No. 1 will be guests of the two candidates for the office of County Commissioner from that precinct who will be at a joint barbecue dinner at the voting box. As in the days of pioneers, when voters gathered at the voting place early in the morning, enjoyed a “dinner on the ground,” voted, visited during the day, counted the ballots and then went home late in the night, so will voters of that precinct gather next Saturday for a get together and barbecue dinner with the two candidates, E. R. Kinser and Strick Harvick as hosts for the day. It will be a gathering of friends and neighbors, the sponsors say, no campaign speeches, no electioneering — and the two candidates are in shape to absorb good naturedly the jibes of the crowds who come to eat and vote.

August 22, 1946
That satisfied feeling of a job well done, a show well performed, and visitors adequately entertained was shared by officials of the Crockett County Fair Association and the citizenship of Ozona when the last cloud of dust cleared from the arena at the local fairgrounds marking the close of the 1946 annual Ozona celebration, run off in rapid-fire fashion Saturday and Sunday. Crowds estimated at 5,000 daily enjoyed the show which featured some of the top ropers of four states and the world’s greatest horse flesh.

August 16, 1956
Dick Henderson, manager of the new Ozona airport at his ranch on the northeast limits of Ozona, says that traffic is increasing steadily at the airport as word gets around of the modern facilities available at the port. The airport is equipped with radio signals, lights and service facilities with a man on duty at all times. The facility is being operated as the Southwest Flying Service. Many oil operators who have interests in this area are making use of the new paved runway and airport facilities, Henderson said, many of them formerly landing at San Angelo and driving here to transact their business.

August 18, 1966
Billy Mills, sheriff, announced that as of today he and his officers will file charges on any minor drinking or having intoxicating beverages in his possession. He said that numerous cases and complaints of recurring violations involving minors with alcoholic beverages had prompted a stiffer action than had heretofore been observed by his department. “There will be no exceptions,” he said. Conviction of minors drinking or in possession of alcoholic beverages carries a fine from $1 to $200 plus court costs. Buying alcoholic beverages for or selling to minors is punishable by a fine of $100 to $200.

August 19, 1976
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT HONORED retired directors R. A. Harrell, left, and L. B. Cox, Jr., right, during the annual election Saturday. Director Bill Baggett, center, made the presentation of desk sets to the two men. Harrell retires this year after serving 26 years on the board. Cox retired in 1973 after serving 23 years.