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Jal
Located in the extreme southeast corner of the state, Jal is in an area where the grasslands of the plains meet sand hills at the edge of the desert. Jal had it's beginnings in the mid 1880's when the Cowden brothers bought a herd of cattle from San Angelo, Texas and moved them into Monument Draw, approximately six miles northeast of the present city. The cattle were branded with the initials of the previous owner (J.A.L.) and the cattle soon came to be called the JAL Cattle. The men who worked the herd were referred to as the Jal cowboys. In time the name became synonymous with the settlement itself.
When oil and gas were discovered in 1928, Jal became a thriving boomtown. With the establishment of Texas Company (later renamed to Texaco), El Paso Natural Gas Company and The Continental Oil Company, Jal proclaimed itself the "Gas Capital" of the nation. Oil and gas are still the major industries in Jal, although ranching remains a small but significant part of the area's economy.
Today Jal boasts a population of 1,800. Among Jal's special attractions is Jal Lake State Park, which is the centerpiece of a 10 acre recreational oasis in the middle of the desert. The man made lake, when viewed from the air, actually spells out the name of the city (Jal) and resembles the cattle brand which inspired the city's name. Jal Lake has become an important landmark for pilots as they fly overhead, and is periodically stocked with fish which provides year-round fishing to the residents. The recreation area also has tennis courts, a basketball court, playground equipment, and sand volleyball. There are also picnic pavilions, barbeque pits, and RV spaces available.
People from all over southern Lea County gather at Jal Lake for their annual Fourth of July celebration and the Annual Jalarama Chili Cook Challenge and Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show.
CONTACTS: Film Liaison/Brian Norwood: (505) 395-3042; bgnorwood@leaco.net; Chamber of Commerce: 395-2620; jalchamber@leaco.net;City Clerk (Permits): 395-3340; 395-2243 Fax
Jal
Jal, NM 88252
