Hobbs is home to New Mexico Junior college and the County airport. Spanish conquerors, the Mexican rulers of the 18th century, Buffalo Soldiers of the post-Civil War era and the cowboys of the 19th century who came to this area had to endure the harsh landscape and resist the skills and tactics of the native people who resisted the intrusion of these invaders. The Western Heritage museum at the Junior college has on display the bronze plaques of the inductees to the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame, the saddles and ropes of the recipients of the Silver Concho award, the Virgil and Thelma Linam collection and the animatronic cowboy Gus, welcoming visitors to the museum. In front of the museum there is an historic Eclipse windmill. From time to time other exhibits are presented such as the 45-foot long skeleton, with its huge skull full of sharp teeth, and three-fingered hands with claws of the Giganotosaurus discovered in Patagonia.

Hon. John R. Holler