Why Roswell
Roswell is a city and the county seat of Chaves County in southeastern New Mexico. Situated in the High Great Plains approximately seven miles west of the Pecos River, the city lies within both the High Plains and the Chihuahuan Desert, roughly 40 miles east of the Sierra Blanca highlands. Intersected by U.S. Routes 70, 285, and 380, Roswell enjoys a cold semi-arid climate featuring four distinct seasons. Summers can be very hot, with high temperatures frequently reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit alongside seasonal monsoon rain, while winters are cool and sunny with occasional snowfall.
The initial attempt at a nearby settlement in 1865 by Missouri pioneers failed due to water shortages. In 1869, businessmen built adobe structures that served as a store, post office, and guest quarters, establishing the town named after founder Van C. Smith's father. The area experienced significant expansion following the discovery of an underground aquifer in 1890 and the arrival of the Pecos Valley Railroad in 1892. Over the years, the region developed strong economic ties to irrigated farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum facilities. Roswell served as a key military base from 1941 until the decommissioning of Walker Air Force Base in 1967, after which it transitioned into a popular retirement community.
Roswell is widely recognized for its association with ufology following the 1947 Roswell incident, an alleged extraterrestrial crash that occurred nearby. Consequently, the city's tourism sector heavily features alien- and spacecraft-themed iconography, sci-fi attractions, and the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Roswell also hosts an annual UFO Festival that began on the 50th anniversary of the 1947 event. Beyond UFO lore, the city was a major site for pioneer Robert H. Goddard's early rocket engine experiments during the 1930s. The Roswell Museum displays a recreation of Goddard's original workshop alongside fine art collections and a planetarium, while the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art presents works from local artist residency programs.
Visitors to Roswell can explore local American folk and New Mexico music performances held near Pioneer Plaza and public parks. Sports enthusiasts can catch minor league baseball games featuring the Roswell Invaders at Joe Bauman Ballpark. Regional nature sites are located nearby, including Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge along the Pecos River to the northeast and Bottomless Lakes State Park 12 miles to the east. Higher education and military instruction are anchored by the New Mexico Military Institute, established in 1891, and an Eastern New Mexico University branch campus. Regional transportation is facilitated by BNSF Railway freight lines, local bus services, and commercial flights operating out of the Roswell International Air Center.
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