 Around 1900, a small settlement known as Sheffield sprang up in eastern Pecos County on land owned by Will Sheffield and served as a supply point for the surrounding ranches.In 1913, construction of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway across Pecos County caused a boom in land speculation and community growth, as did irrigation projects along the Pecos River.The town of Girvin, named for rancher John H. Girvin, grew around a train stop on the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway that served as a cattle shipping point.