South of Tucumcari, at the edge of the desolate Llano Estacado that stretches south and east across the Texas Panhandle, the city of Clovis is a large railroad and ranching town that has two unique claims to fame. One is that it was the site of the oldest archaeological remains ever found in North America. In the 1930s, archaeologists dug up bones and arrowheads that proved human habitation dating back as early as 9000 bc; some of these artifacts, belonging to what archaeologists have dubbed “Clovis Man,” are on display at the Blackwater Draw Museum (daily; $2; 505/562-2202), on US-70 about 10 miles south of Clovis.
Clovis is also semi-famous for having played a part in early rock ’n’ roll: Buddy Holly came here from Lubbock, across the Texas border, in the late 1950s to record “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day,” and other early classics. You can tour the restored studios, which are located at 1313 W. 7th Street but open only by appointment (505/356-6422).
