Roswell

Roswell is a county seat in southeastern New Mexico that spreads over commercial zones, residential blocks, and farmland, serving as the administrative center for Chaves County. Its streets run mostly in a grid, lined with low buildings, parking lots, and older brick or concrete structures that reflect decades of modest growth.

A trading post established by Van C. Smith in 1869 marked the beginning of the settlement, which grew as ranchers and farmers arrived in the following decades. The arrival of the railroad and the development of irrigation projects in the early 20th century helped the town expand, while military installations later shaped the local economy.

The International UFO Museum and Research Center displays documents, photographs, and exhibits related to the 1947 incident and extraterrestrial studies.

The Roswell Air Center offers flights to larger hubs, while several highways connect the town to destinations across New Mexico and Texas. Most public facilities cluster in the downtown area, which is easiest to explore by car given the distances between buildings and services.

The Leprino cheese plant on the outskirts processes milk from thousands of cows and ranks among the world's largest mozzarella producers. The smell from the facility sometimes reaches residential neighborhoods, especially when the wind shifts direction.

Location: Chaves County

Inception: 1869

Elevation above the sea: 1,089 m

Website: https://roswell-nm.gov

GPS coordinates: 33.39417,-104.52278

Latest update: December 12, 2025 19:57