Clovis, New Mexico
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 36.827800, -119.683000
Temperature Range: -5.0°C to 40.0°C (23°F to 104°F)
Climate: Climate: Semi-arid with hot summers and cool winters. Weather patterns vary throughout the year but typically experience low precipitation and high temperatures in the summer months, with cooler temperatures and higher precipitation in the winter.
Population: 118488
Language: English
Clovis is a city located in eastern New Mexico, United States. It was named after the Clovis culture, An ancient Native American civilization that lived in the region between 10, 000 BC and 400 AD. The city has a population of around 40, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 24 square miles. Clovis is renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage. The city has many museums and historical sites that showcase its past. One such attraction is the Norman Petty Studios where famous musicians like Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings recorded their music.
Visitors can now take tours of the studios. The Hillcrest Park Zoo is another popular destination in Clovis that houses over 300 animals from around the world including lions, Tigers, Bears, Giraffes and zebras. Visitors can also take a train ride through the park. The city hosts several annual events such as Curry County Fair which features livestock shows and carnival rides; Pioneer Days which celebrates Clovis’ pioneer history with parades and rodeos; Christmas Jubilee which showcases holiday decorations from local businesses.
Apart from its cultural offerings, Clovis has a thriving economy with industries ranging from agriculture to healthcare to manufacturing. Major employers in the area include Cannon Air Force Base (which provides jobs for over 5% of the population), Southwest Cheese Company (one of North America’s largest cheese manufacturers), Plains Regional Medical Center (a hospital with over 100 beds) among others. Clovis’ location near major highways like US Route-60 makes it easily accessible by car or trucking companies making it an important transportation hub for goods moving through New Mexico towards Texas or Oklahoma.
This strategic location has made it attractive to businesses looking to establish logistics centers within easy reach of these markets while still enjoying small-town community benefits. Overall, Clovis offers a unique blend of history, Culture, And economic opportunity, Making it an ideal place to visit or call home. Its friendly residents and welcoming atmosphere make it an attractive destination for tourists and businesses alike.
Important Landmarks
- Hillcrest Park Zoo
- Norman Petty Studios
- Blackwater Draw Museum
- Clovis Depot Model Train Museum
- North Plains Mall
- Lyceum Theatre
- Cannon Air Force Base Heritage Center
- High Plains Harley-Davidson
- Eastern New Mexico University – Clovis Campus
Primary Industries
- The main industries and businesses in Clovis, United States comprise:
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Education
- Retail trade
- Manufacturing
- Some of the most significant employers in Clovis are:
- The Clovis Unified School District
- Community Medical Centers
- Pelco by Schneider Electric (a manufacturer of video surveillance equipment)
- Walmart
- The city also houses several small businesses and restaurants.
- Moreover, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport located nearby offers job prospects in transportation and logistics.
- The Clovis culture, which is a prehistoric Native American culture named after the city. Artifacts from this culture were first discovered in the 1930s.
- The Santa Fe Trail, an important trade route that passed through what is now Clovis played a crucial role in settling the American West.
- Norman Petty, who was a music producer known for working with famous musicians such as Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison during the 1950s and 60s. Petty’s studio was located in Clovis.
- Cannon Air Force Base, which has been situated near Clovis since World War II and continues to be an essential part of the local economy.
- Hank Baskett III, who grew up in Clovis and played for teams like Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts during his NFL career.
- Blackwater Draw Museum located at Eastern New Mexico University showcases artifacts from prehistoric cultures including the famous Clovis culture.
- Curry County Fair held annually since 1922 features livestock shows, carnival rides, concerts, and other entertainment options for visitors.
- Norman & Vi Petty Rock & Roll Museum located inside a former gas station converted into recording studio by Norman Petty celebrates rockabilly music from artists like Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison who recorded at his studio in Clovis.
- William Hanna – Co-creator of Tom & Jerry cartoons was born here on July 14th ,1910
- Clovis Botanical Garden
- Clovis Museum
- Sierra Bicentennial Park and Trailhead
- Clark Intermediate School Mural Walkway
- Old Town Clovis Farmers Market and Antique Fair
- Dry Creek Park
- Veterans Memorial Building
- Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum
- Fresno County Horse Park
- Wild Water Adventure Park
- Clovis High School Football: The football team dates back to 1922 and has won numerous league championships. Many talented players have gone on to play at the collegiate and professional levels.
- Clovis West High School Basketball: The basketball team is one of the most successful high school programs in California history, winning multiple state championships and producing several NBA players.
- Fresno Fuego FC: The soccer team played in the Premier Development League from 2003-2018, winning division titles and making deep runs in the playoffs.
- Central Valley Coyotes: The indoor football team won two league championships during their tenure from 2005-2010.
- Clovis Crush Softball: The youth softball program has numerous state championships to their name.
- Clovis North Water Polo Team: The water polo program at Clovis North High School is one of the top programs in California with multiple valley titles under its belt.
- Clovis Rodeo is a four-day event that offers rodeo competitions, live music, carnival rides, and food vendors.
- Clovis Farmers Market is a weekly event that showcases local produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment.
- Big Hat Days is a two-day festival that celebrates the city’s western heritage with live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and a parade.
- ClovisFest is an annual festival featuring over 200 craft and food vendors, live entertainment on multiple stages, car shows, and kids’ activities.
- Old Town Flea Market is a monthly market held in Old Town Clovis offering vintage finds and handmade goods from local artisans.
- Friday Night Farmer’s Market & Street Faire is an evening event held during the summer months featuring fresh produce from local farmers as well as food trucks and entertainment.
- Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event in December where the community gathers to watch the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree while enjoying hot cocoa and holiday music performances.
- Memorial Day Ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Building – A ceremony honoring veterans who have served our country takes place every year on Memorial Day at Veteran’s Memorial Building in downtown Clovis.
- House of Juju – known for their gourmet burgers and craft beers.
- Trelio Restaurant – offers a farm-to-table dining experience with seasonal menus.
- The Patio Cafe – serves breakfast and lunch with a focus on fresh ingredients.
- Salsa’s Mexican Grill – popular for their authentic Mexican dishes and margaritas.
- DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant – family-owned Italian restaurant with classic pasta dishes.
- Kiku Japanese Restaurant – offers sushi, hibachi grill, and traditional Japanese cuisine.
- Bobby Salazar’s Taqueria – known for their burritos, tacos, and salsa bar.
- Pho 99 Vietnamese Cuisine – serves pho noodle soup and other Vietnamese dishes.
- Red Apple Cafe – a local favorite for breakfast food such as pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict.
- Casa Maria Authentic Mexican Cuisine- Offers delicious Mexican food including fajitas , enchiladas etc.
- Dry Creek Park features a playground, picnic areas, and walking trails.
- Sierra Bicentennial Park offers a skate park, basketball courts, and picnic areas.
- Clovis Botanical Garden showcases various plants and flowers native to the area.
- Letterman Park includes a playground, soccer fields, and tennis courts.
- Clovis Community College Track & Field Complex provides facilities for running, jumping, and throwing events.
- Wild Water Adventure Park is a water park with slides and pools for all ages.
- Clovis Rodeo Grounds hosts annual rodeo events in April.
- Woodward Regional Park is located nearby in Fresno with fishing ponds, disc golf course, bike trails etc.
- Clovis Veterans Memorial District hosts community events like concerts and festivals throughout the year.
- Clovis Trails are miles of biking/hiking trails that connect the city’s parks together.
Noteable History
Museums and Things To See
Sports Teams
Sports have played an important role in shaping the culture of Clovis over many years by providing opportunities for athletes to compete at high levels while also bringing communities together around shared interests and passions for different games.