On July 8, 1885, Lair Patterson applied for a new post office located 7 miles southeast of Jolon and asked that it be named Lockwood Post Office. Although records in the National Archives do not show why he chose the name, most local historians have assumed that he did so to honor Belva Ann Lockwood, the first woman nominated for President of the United States. She was nominated twice, first in 1884 and then in 1888. The Lockwood office was authorized July 23, 1888, with Lair Patterson as the first postmaster. Today Lockwood is a blend of farming land, vineyards, and cattle-raising pastures, and with its 18 inch average rainfall from November through April and around 100°F sunny summer days, it is an ideal place for many locals who call Lockwood home.