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Long Canyon Ranch Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-989-BC

Scope and Content

The Long Canyon Ranch Collection is comprised of a manuscript by F. George Herlihy; documents, memorabilia, and correspondence relative to the Herlihy family in general; as well as Herlihy land ownership in New Mexico. The content is focused on the Long Canyon Ranch in Taiban, New Mexico, but also includes anecdotes of how the Herlihy family came to New Mexico and life after the Ranch. In addition, there are 42 cartoons (provided on a variety of paper stock, scrap paper, and envelopes) included by Richard “Dick” Schultz Herlihy of New York City, New York.

Dates

  • 1860-2018
  • Majority of material found in 1910-1929

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Historical Information

The Long Canyon Ranch property, located near Taiban, New Mexico, was land used by the Mescalero Apache Tribe and the Comanche Nation prior to the 1860s. With the passing of the Homestead Act in 1862, the western U.S. was opened up to settlement. In the late 1860s, John Chisum, a wealthy cattle baron, and his herds of cattle found a new home in the Pecos River watershed that was grazed by bison and included the land at Long Canyon. After Chisum died in 1884, the northern part of his land became known as the Horseshoe Ranch.

Homesteading in New Mexico was difficult per the arid climate with limited water supply, but these challenges did not deter the Herlihy family. They moved to New Mexico in 1910 and settled on the Horseshoe Ranch property. It became known as the Long Canyon Ranch following the Herlihy family's incorporation by the State of New Mexico of the Long Canyon Cattle Company in 1919. By 1921, Long Canyon Ranch was approximately 40,000 acres.

Frank George Herlihy was born in New York City, New York, on December 4, 1898, and died in Los Angeles, California, on October 25, 1989. He was the youngest of seven children born to Theodore Ernest Herlihy and Jenny Martha (Schultz) Herlihy. After the passing of his father in 1901, and with the exception of his eldest brother "Dick" who stayed in NYC, George and his family made the long trek via steamships, trains, and wagon to New Mexico to create a new life as ranchers. George stayed in New Mexico for much of his formative years before moving to Tucson, Arizona, where he received a Bachelor of Law degree with honors and distinction on June 26, 1926. He later received his JD (Juris Doctor) to become “Dr. Herlihy.” After passing the bar exam in California on March 18, 1927, George and his brother, Herbert, formed the firm Herlihy and Herlihy, Inc., Attorneys at Law in Los Angeles, California. Exactly 60 years later, on March 18, 1987, George retired, leaving the firm to the next generation of Herlihys. George prepared his memoir to tell the tales of his life experiences focused around his time at Long Canyon Ranch.

Extent

1 Box (1 linear ft.)

Abstract

The Long Canyon Ranch Collection is focused on the ranch near Taiban, New Mexico owned by the Herlihy family.

Separated Material

Long Canyon Ranch Pictorial Collection

Photographic material has been transferred to Pictorial Collections (PICT 000-989).
Title
Finding Aid of the Long Canyon Ranch Collection, 1860-2018
Status
Completed
Author
Laurie GJ Firor
Date
©2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451