Roosevelt County

Roosevelt County is an administrative division in eastern New Mexico stretching along the Texas border and covering roughly 2,455 square miles. Portales is the largest population center and administrative seat, home to the County Courthouse where legal matters and public records are managed.

The county was established in 1903 when portions of Chaves and Guadalupe counties merged and took the name of President Theodore Roosevelt. This founding marked a turning point in the administrative reorganization of eastern New Mexico during that period.

Eastern New Mexico Junior College, founded in 1934, shapes the educational life of the region and draws students from surrounding areas. It serves as a gathering place where the community meets and interacts.

The area is characterized by flat terrain that is easy to navigate, with Portales serving as the central hub for visits and administrative matters. Allow time for driving between various settlements, as the region is sparsely populated with considerable distances between towns.

The area contains roughly 106 abandoned settlements now visible as ghost towns, revealing how population patterns shifted across many decades. These quiet places tell the story of people moving in and out of the region over time.

GPS coordinates: 33.97252,-103.49339

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:45