The significance of the Mail Camp as a structure for the NRHC has roots in the mid-1870s. As ranchers established their herds on the Rolling Plains along the eastern edge of the Llano Estacado, they needed a reliable communication system with settlements to the east.

Initially, civilian mail service was provided through informal “private arrangements” with a fee paid per item delivered. In 1878, the first regularly scheduled mail service for the area came from Fort Griffin by private contractors, either with “mail-hacks” or stagecoaches, sometimes traveling with military escorts. The first official post office on the southeastern edge of the Llano was established in September 1879 as Mount Blanco with Elizabeth “Aunt Hank” Smith named as the first postmistress.

The Dodge City Times in July 1879 declared, “The rapid development of the country calls for increased patronage in mail facilities. … Within the past two or three years, the country … has undergone a remarkable change. Cattle camps and settlements have been established until the growing need of the hour is increased mail service.”

From information known about the Lowrance Ranch Mail Camp, “the building could have been a rest stop or way station for military couriers and was later used by postal contractors as they delivered and picked up mail for the early ranch settlers,” said Dr. Scott White, NRHC operations manager supervising acquisition of the structure. He noted that research is continuing, “but there is little doubt at this point that the Mail Camp served to help the settlement of the frontier for ranch use.”

Documents provided by Mrs. Lowrance indicate the land on which the Mail Camp is located was surveyed in August 1874 as payment to the Houston & Great Northern Railroad.

A team was established for the project. Adling Associates Architects, Lubbock, prepared the detailed drawings of the building. Dr. John White, a historic preservation specialist from the College of Architecture, Texas Tech University, assisted with architectural preservation details, and Dr. Don Abbe prepared the history of the structure for future interpretation. The structure was dedicated on April 23, 2005.