Roswell, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roswell, New Mexico
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Skyline of Roswell, looking south along Main St.
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Location of Roswell in Chaves County, New Mexico
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | New Mexico | ||
| County | Chaves | ||
| Founded | 1871 | ||
| Incorporated | February 25, 1889 | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 29.776 sq mi (77.119 km2) | ||
| • Land | 29.716 sq mi (76.965 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.060 sq mi (0.156 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 3,616 ft (1,102 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 48,422 | ||
| • Estimate
(2024)
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46,669 | ||
| • Rank | US: 856th NM: 5th |
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| • Density | 1,585/sq mi (612.1/km2) | ||
| • Urban | 48,831 | ||
| • Metro | 63,561 (US: 146th) | ||
| Time zone | UTC–07:00 (MST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–06:00 (MDT) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
88201, 88202, 88203
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| Area code(s) | 575 | ||
| FIPS code | 35-64930 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2411003 | ||
| Sales tax | 7.9% | ||
Roswell is a city in New Mexico, United States. It is the main city of Chaves County. In 2020, about 48,422 people lived there. This makes it the fifth-largest city in New Mexico.
Roswell is home to the New Mexico Military Institute, a special school founded in 1891. It also has a campus of Eastern New Mexico University. Nature lovers can visit the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Bottomless Lakes State Park nearby.
The city is famous for the Roswell incident. This was a mysterious event in 1947. People reported that an unknown object crashed near Roswell. This story has made Roswell a popular place for tourists interested in ufology and aliens.
Before the UFO mystery, Roswell was important for rocket science. Robert H. Goddard, a rocket pioneer, did much of his early work here in the 1930s. You can learn about his work at the Roswell Museum and Art Center.
Contents
Discovering Roswell
Early Beginnings
The first people to try and settle near Roswell were pioneers from Missouri in 1865. They had to leave because there wasn't enough water. This place was called Missouri Plaza.
Later, in 1869, a businessman named Van C. Smith and his partner, Aaron Wilburn, built two adobe buildings. These buildings became a store, post office, and a place for travelers to stay. In 1871, Smith claimed the land. He named the town Roswell after his father, Roswell Smith.
In 1877, Captain Joseph Calloway Lea and his family bought the land. They became the owners of most of Roswell. The town grew a lot after 1890. That's when a major underground water source was found. More growth happened when the Pecos Valley Railroad arrived in 1892.
A City Grows
During World War II, there was a camp for war prisoners near Roswell. These prisoners helped build important things in the city. For example, they paved the banks of the North Spring River. A park in Roswell, once called Iron Cross Park, was renamed POW/MIA Park in 1996. It honors war prisoners and missing soldiers. The park even has a piece of the Berlin Wall.
Roswell was also important for the military from 1941 to 1967. The Walker Air Force Base was located here. After the base closed, Roswell became a popular place for people to retire.
The Roswell Incident Mystery
Roswell became very famous because of a mysterious event in 1947. People reported that an unknown object crashed in the area. Many believe it was an extraterrestrial spacecraft with alien beings. The military handled the investigation and collected the debris.
Since the 1970s, this event has been a big topic of discussion. Some people think the government kept the truth a secret. Today, Roswell celebrates this mystery with a yearly UFO Festival. Many businesses in town have alien and space themes.
In 2012, Roswell hosted a record-breaking skydive by Felix Baumgartner. This exciting event brought more attention to the city.
Roswell's Location and Weather
Where is Roswell?
Roswell is in the southeastern part of New Mexico. It is located in the High Plains region. The Pecos River is about 7 miles (11 km) to the east.
Several major roads meet in Roswell. These include U.S. Routes 70, 285, and 380. These roads connect Roswell to other cities like Clovis, Santa Fe, and Carlsbad.
The city covers an area of about 29.776 square miles (77.119 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.
Roswell's Climate
Roswell has four distinct seasons. Winters are cool and often sunny, with some snowfall. Spring is usually mild and warm. Summers can be very hot, with temperatures often rising above 100°F (38°C).
During the summer, the North American monsoon brings rain. This can lead to heavy downpours and thunderstorms. Sometimes, even tornadoes can occur. The rain helps cool things down from the summer heat. Fall is generally warm and pleasant.
What Roswell Offers
Local Businesses and Jobs
Roswell is a center for farming, dairying, and ranching. It uses special irrigation systems similar to acequias.
The city also has several factories and distribution centers. Leprino Foods, one of the world's largest mozzarella cheese factories, is located here. For many years, city buses were also made in Roswell by companies like TMC and Millennium Transit Services.
Fun Things to Do and See
Roswell's tourism is largely based on its connection to the UFO mystery. There are museums and businesses with alien and space themes. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is a popular spot. A yearly UFO Festival has been held since 1995.
The Roswell Museum and Art Center has an exhibit about Robert H. Goddard's rocket work. It also has a planetarium and a collection of art. The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art displays works from many artists who have lived in Roswell.
Sports in Roswell
Roswell has a professional baseball team called the Roswell Invaders. They play in the Pecos League. Their lime-green uniforms show off the city's alien connections. Home games are played at the Joe Bauman Ballpark.
Roswell has a long history with minor league baseball. Famous players like Joe Bauman and Willie Stargell once played for Roswell teams. In 2025, Roswell hosted the National Championship Air Races, an exciting event for aviation fans.
Schools and Learning
Roswell has several public schools, including:
- Roswell Independent School District
- Goddard High School
- Roswell High School
- Mountain View Middle School
- Mesa Middle School
- Sierra Middle School
- Berrendo Middle School
There are also private schools like All Saints Catholic School and Gateway Christian School.
For higher education, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell offers college programs. The New Mexico Military Institute provides both high school and college-level courses.
Getting Around Roswell
Roswell has an airport, the Roswell International Air Center. It offers flights through American Eagle.
You can also travel by bus with Pecos Trails Transit and Greyhound Lines. Major highways like U.S. Routes 70, 285, and 380 pass through the city. BNSF Railway provides freight train services.
Famous People from Roswell
Many interesting people have connections to Roswell, New Mexico:
- Robert O. Anderson, a successful businessman.
- John Chisum, a famous rancher from early Roswell.
- John Denver, a well-known singer and actor.
- Pat Garrett, a sheriff famous for his role in the Old West.
- Robert H. Goddard, a pioneer in rocket science.
- Nancy Lopez, a Hall of Fame golfer.
- Demi Moore, a famous actress.
- Priscilla Presley, an actress and businesswoman.
- Austin St. John, known as the first Red Power Ranger.
See also
In Spanish: Roswell (Nuevo México) para niños
 | Precious Adams |
 | Lauren Anderson |
 | Janet Collins |
