The Spade Ranch

[Spade brand in title] Founded by Isaac L. Ellwood (1833-1910), inventor who made a fortune in barbed wire, and bought (1889) from veteran cattlemen D. H. and J. W. Snyder an 8 x 25-mile range (128,000 acres) in Hale, Hockley, Lamb and Lubbock counties. This range was used for Spade-branded calves from Renderbrook Spring, his southmost ranch, in Mitchell County. He continued buying South Plains land until Spade Range was 54 miles long. Headquarters (originally in Lamb County) was moved to South Camp (3/10 mi. N of here) after farm-land sales in 1920s. Ellwood's descendants still own and operate the Spade. (1972)

The Spade Ranch is a historical marker in Smyer, Hockley County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 10 historical markers documented in Hockley County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 14 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.5881, -102.2063 near Smyer. The nearest cataloged historic site is City of Levelland (historical marker), about 9.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hockley County Courthouse, City of Levelland Cemetery, and Hockley County.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5219005430. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.