History of Roswell, New Mexico, USA

1869 - Roswell the states 4th largest city was founded in 1869 when a professional gambler established a lone store on the cattle trail.

www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-fact/ new-mexico.html

1895 - Roswell
Roswell, a post-office of Chaves co., New Mexico.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Roswell, a banking post-town, capital of Chaves co., N.Mex., on the Rio Hondo, 80 miles N. of Carlsbad, on the Pecos Valley and Northeastern R. It has a territorial military institute, flouring-mills, and other industries. Pop. in 1900, 2006.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1930 - INJURED IN PLANE CRASH
Roswell, N. M., Feb. 23. - (AP) - Onis Reynolds of Roswell, was injured, perhaps fatally, here today in an airplane crash, when his plane fell from an altitude of 200 feet as he attempted to make a turn. William Kennedy, a passenger, escaped with minor injuries. The plane was demolished.
The Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
February 24, 1930

1942 - SIX KILLED AS TWO TRAINING PLANES CRASH AT ROSWELL. BOMBERS COLLIDE WHILE ON PRACTICE MISSION, ARMY REPORTS. ONE SHIP BURNS.
Roswell, N. M., Sept. 8 (AP) - A mid-air collision at 4000 feet between two Army training bombers cost the lives of six airmen Tuesday, two of them aviation cadets from the Roswell Army Flying School.

The Army said two ships of a three-plane formation on a practice bombing mission collided and crashed 10 miles northwest of Roswell. One ship burned after striking the ground.

The dead, as announced by the Army:
Lieut. DAVID P. GRIFFITHS, 24, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Lieut. WILLIAM P. NEWBY, 22, San Jose, Cal.
Lieut. OSCAR W. TREDMORE, 27, Franklin, Ohio.
Cadet ALLEN W. HOTTOIS, Lakewood, Ohio.
Cadet GERALD F. McKENNA, 20, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pvt. VERNON T. McKELVEY, Fort Cobb, Ohio.

Lieut. GRIFFITHS was piloting one plane, with Lieut. NEWBY and Cadet McKENNA filling out the crew. The other plane was piloted by Lieut. TREDMORE.

TREDMORE'S plane burned after it crashed.

The Army released no other details.
Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque, New Mexico
September 9, 1942

1947 - July 8 - Reports are broadcast that a UFO has crashed landed in Roswell, New Mexico.
New Mexico Army Base Finds Disc

ROSWELL, N.M., July 8. (U.P.) - Possession of a "flying disc" was disclosed today by the intelligence office of the 509th bomb group of the Roswell army airbase.

Officers at the base said that the "disc" was flown in a Super-fortress to "higher headquarters" undisclosed.

The intelligence office reported that it gained possession of the "disc" through the cooperation of a Roswell rancher and George Wilson, sheriff at Roswell.

The disc landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week. Not having telephone facilities, the rancher, whose name has not yet been obtained, stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the Roswell sheriff's office.

The airbase refused to give details of construction of the disc or its appearance.

Residence near the ranch on which the disc was found reported seeing a strange blue light several days ago about 3 a.m.
Tucson Daily Citizen
Tucson, Arizona
July 8, 1947

1952 - FIVE MEN ARE BURNED IN ROSWELL EXPLOSION.
Roswell, Nov. 24. (AP) - A spark from a welder's torch set off an explosion late today, burning five men, two of them seriously, and destroying the state highway department shop.

O. W. NICHOLS, 46, was repairing a large tank. Authorities said a spark apparently set off oil fumes in the tank. He and WAYNE TURNER, 18, a truck driver, were burned seriously.

The other injured were EVAN DAVIS, 54, a mechanic; ALVIN KIKER, 45, a mechanic, and JAMES HODGE, 55, a janitor. KIKER is from Portales the rest of Roswell.
Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque, New Mexico
November 25, 1952

1953 - June 24 - KSWS TV channel 8 in Roswell, NM (NBC) begins broadcasting

historyorb.com

February 2, 1956 - A record snowstorm in New Mexico and west Texas began on Ground Hog's Day. The storm produced 15 inches of snow at Roswell NM, and up to 33 inches in the Texas Panhandle.

WeatherForYou.com
February 2, 1956

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Roswell:
International UFO Museum and Research Center:

No visit to Roswell is complete without exploring this museum. It provides a comprehensive overview of the 1947 Roswell UFO incident, complete with exhibits, documents, and eyewitness accounts.

Roswell UFO Festival:

If your visit aligns with this annual event (usually in July), it's a must-attend. The town comes alive with parades, costume contests, live music, and more, all centered around the UFO theme.

Roswell Spacewalk:

Take a stroll downtown and discover the unique space-themed sidewalk. It features bronze plaques and sculptures depicting various aspects of space exploration and the Roswell UFO incident.

Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art:

If you're an art enthusiast, this museum is worth a visit. It showcases contemporary art and often features works inspired by the town's UFO history.

Spring River Park and Zoo:

For a more down-to-earth experience, head to the Spring River Park and Zoo. It's a lovely place ... Read MORE...