Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico

Roswell on the Rio Hondo, is the County Seat of Chaves County. In 1869, Van C. Smith and Aaron O. Wilburn opened a general store and an inn. In 1872 Smith chose to call his settlement Roswell, for his father, Roswell Smith. In 1873, a Post Office was established with Van C. Smith as Post Master.

In 1877, Captain Joseph C. Lea bought Smith out and found himself controlling the whole town. Lea became Post Master in 1879 and owner of the Lea Cattle Company. He and John S. Chisum were the first large ranchers in Pecos country. Artesian water was discovered in 1890. Pure water bubbled up a deep well casing and ran away in a flashing stream.

Now (1998) Roswell has become New Mexico's fourth largest city...and achieved special fame as the site of nearby UFO landings.