Ranching History

Preserving and Interpreting

One of the first structures built on a large ranch was the blacksmith shop, and it’s appropriate that the first historic structure erected at the center in 1972 was the Renderbrook-Spade Blacksmith Shop. Lewis Neely did not make his living as a blacksmith, but he became a skilled blacksmith as a hobby and has volunteered for five years as the NRHC blacksmith. Neely is one of nearly 185 community volunteers who help make the National Ranching Heritage Center the No. 1 tourist attraction in the Lubbock area.