Roswell history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of modern Roswell began in 1869, when entrepreneurs Van C. Smith and Aaron O. Wilburn constructed the first adobe structures here. These buildings served as a general store, a post office, and a resting place for travellers. In 1873, the settlement was officially named Roswell in honour of the father of one of the founders, Roswell Smith.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small trading post into a thriving city was driven by a number of strategic advantages:

• Water Resources: Its location in the Pecos River valley and the presence of fresh water sources made this place a vital oasis in the arid climate of New Mexico.
• Artesian Aquifer: A key moment in the city's history was the discovery of a major artesian source in 1890. This event radically changed the economy, allowing for the creation of an irrigation system.
• The Railway: The laying of railway tracks in the 1890s provided a reliable connection with the outside world and facilitated an influx of new residents and goods.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, Roswell's economy was based on cattle ranching. The city was an important point on cattle drive trails, which formed a classic Wild West atmosphere here with ranches and cowboy culture.

After the discovery of artesian waters, the region began to transform into an agricultural centre. Alfalfa, cotton, apples, and pecan nuts began to be grown here. Another important milestone of the early period was the founding of the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in 1891, which added the status of an educational and cultural hub of the region to the city.

Major Milestones in the History of Roswell

• 1869 — Van C. Smith and Aaron Wilburn erect the first structures, marking the beginning of the trading post that would become the future city.
• 1873 — The first post office opens, and the settlement officially receives the name Roswell.
• 1891 — Roswell receives the status of an incorporated city, and the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) opens.
• 1893 — Construction of the railway through the Pecos Valley connects the city with major markets and stimulates economic growth.
• 1930 — Rocketry pioneer Robert Goddard moves to Roswell and begins conducting his historic experiments with liquid-fuelled rockets here.
• 1941 — In connection with World War II, an army air base is created, later renamed Walker Air Force Base, becoming a major employer for the city.
• 1947 — The famous "Roswell Incident" occurs with the crash of an unidentified object on a nearby ranch, sparking global interest in the subject of UFOs.
• 1967 — The closure of Walker Air Force Base leads to a significant outflow of the population and forces the city to seek new paths for economic development.
• 1991 — The International UFO Museum and Research Center opens, finally cementing the city's status as a tourism brand.
• 2012 — Felix Baumgartner performs a record-breaking jump from the stratosphere as part of the Red Bull Stratos mission, launched from the Roswell airport.

Key Stages of the City's Transformation

The development of Roswell is a story of adaptation, where each new stage radically changed the economic and cultural landscape. Here are the main milestones that defined the modern look of the city:

• Discovery of the Artesian Basin (1890s)
  Significance: The discovery of powerful underground waters turned the arid valley into a thriving agricultural oasis. This allowed a transition from extensive cattle ranching to intensive farming (growing cotton, alfalfa, pecans) and gave impetus to capital construction and the planning of city blocks.
• Arrival of the Railway (1893)
  Significance: Connection to the railway network ensured access for local produce to national markets. Roswell became the main logistics hub of southeastern New Mexico, which attracted merchant capital and contributed to the appearance of brick architecture in the city centre.
• Founding of the New Mexico Military Institute (1891)
  Significance: The creation of NMMI laid the foundation for the city's educational and cultural prestige. The majestic architecture of the campus became a hallmark of the district, and the institute itself shaped the social elite of the region for decades.
• Era of Walker Air Force Base (1941–1967)
  Significance: The deployment of strategic aviation led to explosive growth in population and the economy. Urban infrastructure, residential areas, and the service sector scaled up to meet the needs of thousands of military personnel, making Roswell one of the largest cities in the state during that period.
• Industrial Conversion (post-1967)
  Significance: The closure of the military base was a serious economic blow, but the city was able to reorient itself. The former base was transformed into the Roswell International Air Center (RIAC), which became a zone for aircraft maintenance, aircraft storage, and industrial manufacturing, preserving the technical potential of the region.
• Tourism Rebranding (from the 1990s)
  Significance: The opening of the International UFO Museum and festival activities allowed for the monetization of the fame of the "1947 incident". This created a unique niche in the tourism sector, revitalized small businesses, souvenir trade, and the hospitality sector, making the city a globally recognisable brand.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Roswell represents a unique fusion of traditions of the US Southwest, strict military styling, and classic American urban planning of the early 20th century. Unlike many cities in the region where the "Pueblo" style dominates exclusively, Roswell boasts a variety of forms — from Neo-Gothic to Neoclassical.

Historical Styles and Eras

The development of the city can be traced through the change of architectural trends, each of which left its mark on the streets of Roswell:

• Territorial Style and Pueblo Revival (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)
  Characteristic of early residential buildings and some public structures. This style reflects the regional identity of New Mexico: flat roofs, the use of adobe (or its imitation), protruding beams (vigas), and soft, rounded wall contours.
• Neo-Gothic (Military Gothic)
  The most unexpected and impressive style for this region. It is vividly represented in the campus of the New Mexico Military Institute. Buildings made of yellow brick with crenellated walls, towers, and lancet arches create the atmosphere of an old European fortress in the middle of the desert.
• Beaux-Arts and Neoclassicism (Early 20th Century)
  The period of economic prosperity after the arrival of the railway was marked by the construction of monumental public buildings. This style symbolised stability, law, and order, bringing elements of antique solemnity (columns, domes, symmetry) to the city.
• Mid-Century Modern and Ranch (Mid-20th Century)
  The era of the expansion of Walker Air Force Base led to a boom in residential construction. Extensive neighbourhoods appeared with single-storey houses in the "Ranch" style — functional, with low roofs and wide facades, oriented towards motorists.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The look of the city is formed by several key objects that serve as architectural landmarks:

• Chaves County Courthouse
  The jewel of the city, built in 1911. The majestic building with a green mosaic dome is executed in the Beaux-Arts style. It serves as the centre of the historic district and a visual landmark rising above the low-rise development.
• New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) Campus
  An architectural ensemble listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The unified "Scottish Castle" style made of light brick makes this district one of the most recognisable and photogenic places in the city.
• Downtown Historic District
  The area along Main Street has preserved the atmosphere of a trading city of the early 20th century. Commercial brick development with decorative cornices and large display windows prevails here. Many of these buildings are today adapted for modern needs, including famous shops and museums with "extraterrestrial" themes.

Distinguished Personalities of Roswell

The history of Roswell is inextricably linked with the names of people who left a significant mark on science, art, sports, and the history of the Wild West. Below are key figures whose biographies are intertwined with this city.

• Pat Garrett
  Role: Sheriff, representative of the law in the Wild West.
  Significance: A legendary figure of the frontier era. Garrett became famous for tracking down and shooting the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid. In the early 20th century, he lived in Roswell and served as the sheriff of Chaves County, playing an important role in maintaining law and order in the region.
• Robert H. Goddard
  Role: Physicist, engineer, rocketry pioneer.
  Significance: The "Father of Modern Astronautics". In the 1930s, he moved his laboratory to Roswell, where the ideal climate and open spaces allowed him to conduct crucial tests of liquid-fuelled rockets, laying the foundation for future space flights.
• John Denver
  Role: World-famous singer, composer, and poet.
  Significance: Born in Roswell into an Air Force officer's family. He became one of the most successful and beloved American performers of folk music in the 1970s, whose work celebrated the beauty of nature and simple human values.
• Demi Moore
  Role: Hollywood actress, producer, and model.
  Significance: Born in Roswell in 1962. She became one of the most iconic actresses of the 1990s, starring in cult films such as "Ghost" and "G.I. Jane", and was the first woman in Hollywood to receive a fee of over 10 million dollars for a film.
• Nancy Lopez
  Role: Professional golfer.
  Significance: Although Nancy was born in California, she grew up and began her sports career right here in Roswell. It was here that her unique playing style was formed, which allowed her to win 48 LPGA tours and become one of the greatest female golfers in history, popularising this sport among women.
• Roger Staubach
  Role: Professional American football player, businessman.
  Significance: A graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell. Legendary quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, two-time Super Bowl winner, and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.