Historical Marker
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences, Sierra County · New Mexico
The Spanish called the place Ojo Caliente de las Palomas, the hot springs of the doves; Anglo settlers made it Palomas Hot Springs, and the first pool was built over Geronimo Spring in the late 1800s. The town incorporated as Hot Springs in 1916, after the dam brought people, and by World War II it had about forty spas, in the late 1930s one for every seventy-five residents. About ten operate today in the bathhouse district. This panel dates the renaming to 1951; the vote and broadcast were in 1950.
What the plaque says
Official Scenic Historic Marker Truth or Consequences Elevation 4,576 ft. In 1581, Capitan Franciso Sanchez Chamuscado took possession of this region for the King of Spain naming it Ojo de Zoquete (mud spring) in the province of San Felipe. Native Americans first used these springs for healing; in early 20th century, European-Americans setteled here and named it Hot Springs. Truth or Consequences ("T or C") took its present name in 1951 in response to a contest from Ralph Edwards' popular radio program.
Where it stands
33.14494, -107.24865 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Elephant Butte Lake State Park — 0.8 mi
- "Magnificent Magnolia" (1893-1974) — 1.1 mi
- Carrie Tingley — 1.8 mi
- Truth or Consequences — 2.8 mi