(17) Some knew him as "Mr. Lubbock."
Others thought of A.B. Davis as "Mr. Fair."
Regardless, Davis, who was hired in 1924 as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce oversaw the explosive growth of Lubbock for 38 years.
At the same time he pulled the South Plains Fair out of a hole and spurred its continuation. During his tenure with the chamber he helped Lubbock grow from a small town of 6,000 to a city of 130,000 residents.
Davis came to Lubbock in 1924 to lead the chamber, a position he held until retiring in 1962.
Upon arriving in Lubbock he also was named manager of the South Plains Fair Association and continued to guide the growing exposition until Oct. 16, 1967, when health forced his retirement, shortly after the 50th edition of the fair was dedicated to him.
He is credited with a multitude of successes in both his chamber and fair association duties.
His efforts ranged from promoting construction of Lubbock's first major hotel, the Pioneer, and securing right-of-way funds to get the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad into town to saving Lubbock's banks from financial collapse during the depression and securing Reese Air Force Base -all the while chewing continuously on an unlit cigar that hung from the corner of his mouth.
His list of accomplishments parallel the city's growth. He helped lure four major airlines to the city, directed a campaign drive for Jones Stadium, promoted the organization of what would become the United Way, was a local supporter of the Canadian River Water Authority and used his political connections to secure a federal court for Lubbock.
Yet he declined singular credit. "Cities do not happen. Men and women, working together, build them."
Son of Jefferson Davis and Rebecca Bell Davis.
Grandson of Isaac Davis and Adeline Jane Deck Davis.
Others thought of A.B. Davis as "Mr. Fair."
Regardless, Davis, who was hired in 1924 as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce oversaw the explosive growth of Lubbock for 38 years.
At the same time he pulled the South Plains Fair out of a hole and spurred its continuation. During his tenure with the chamber he helped Lubbock grow from a small town of 6,000 to a city of 130,000 residents.
Davis came to Lubbock in 1924 to lead the chamber, a position he held until retiring in 1962.
Upon arriving in Lubbock he also was named manager of the South Plains Fair Association and continued to guide the growing exposition until Oct. 16, 1967, when health forced his retirement, shortly after the 50th edition of the fair was dedicated to him.
He is credited with a multitude of successes in both his chamber and fair association duties.
His efforts ranged from promoting construction of Lubbock's first major hotel, the Pioneer, and securing right-of-way funds to get the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad into town to saving Lubbock's banks from financial collapse during the depression and securing Reese Air Force Base -all the while chewing continuously on an unlit cigar that hung from the corner of his mouth.
His list of accomplishments parallel the city's growth. He helped lure four major airlines to the city, directed a campaign drive for Jones Stadium, promoted the organization of what would become the United Way, was a local supporter of the Canadian River Water Authority and used his political connections to secure a federal court for Lubbock.
Yet he declined singular credit. "Cities do not happen. Men and women, working together, build them."
Son of Jefferson Davis and Rebecca Bell Davis.
Grandson of Isaac Davis and Adeline Jane Deck Davis.
(17) Some knew him as "Mr. Lubbock."
Others thought of A.B. Davis as "Mr. Fair."
Regardless, Davis, who was hired in 1924 as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce oversaw the explosive growth of Lubbock for 38 years.
At the same time he pulled the South Plains Fair out of a hole and spurred its continuation. During his tenure with the chamber he helped Lubbock grow from a small town of 6,000 to a city of 130,000 residents.
Davis came to Lubbock in 1924 to lead the chamber, a position he held until retiring in 1962.
Upon arriving in Lubbock he also was named manager of the South Plains Fair Association and continued to guide the growing exposition until Oct. 16, 1967, when health forced his retirement, shortly after the 50th edition of the fair was dedicated to him.
He is credited with a multitude of successes in both his chamber and fair association duties.
His efforts ranged from promoting construction of Lubbock's first major hotel, the Pioneer, and securing right-of-way funds to get the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad into town to saving Lubbock's banks from financial collapse during the depression and securing Reese Air Force Base -all the while chewing continuously on an unlit cigar that hung from the corner of his mouth.
His list of accomplishments parallel the city's growth. He helped lure four major airlines to the city, directed a campaign drive for Jones Stadium, promoted the organization of what would become the United Way, was a local supporter of the Canadian River Water Authority and used his political connections to secure a federal court for Lubbock.
Yet he declined singular credit. "Cities do not happen. Men and women, working together, build them."
Son of Jefferson Davis and Rebecca Bell Davis.
Grandson of Isaac Davis and Adeline Jane Deck Davis.
Others thought of A.B. Davis as "Mr. Fair."
Regardless, Davis, who was hired in 1924 as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce oversaw the explosive growth of Lubbock for 38 years.
At the same time he pulled the South Plains Fair out of a hole and spurred its continuation. During his tenure with the chamber he helped Lubbock grow from a small town of 6,000 to a city of 130,000 residents.
Davis came to Lubbock in 1924 to lead the chamber, a position he held until retiring in 1962.
Upon arriving in Lubbock he also was named manager of the South Plains Fair Association and continued to guide the growing exposition until Oct. 16, 1967, when health forced his retirement, shortly after the 50th edition of the fair was dedicated to him.
He is credited with a multitude of successes in both his chamber and fair association duties.
His efforts ranged from promoting construction of Lubbock's first major hotel, the Pioneer, and securing right-of-way funds to get the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad into town to saving Lubbock's banks from financial collapse during the depression and securing Reese Air Force Base -all the while chewing continuously on an unlit cigar that hung from the corner of his mouth.
His list of accomplishments parallel the city's growth. He helped lure four major airlines to the city, directed a campaign drive for Jones Stadium, promoted the organization of what would become the United Way, was a local supporter of the Canadian River Water Authority and used his political connections to secure a federal court for Lubbock.
Yet he declined singular credit. "Cities do not happen. Men and women, working together, build them."
Son of Jefferson Davis and Rebecca Bell Davis.
Grandson of Isaac Davis and Adeline Jane Deck Davis.
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son of Jefferson & Rebecca Davis
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