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Artesia Guide
Last updated on Thursday, February 20, 2003
In 1903 when artesian wells were discovered, the town known as Stegman was renamed Artesia. Water spouted as high as twenty feet. Early settlers were attracted to this plentiful water supply and established an agricultural and farming community. Unfortunately the wells were allowed to flow unchecked and the water table dropped.
Now, however, in this city of 12,000, the water supply is continually replenished with runoff from the Sacramento Mountains about 90 miles to the west.
Originally Artesia was a part of John Chisum's ranching empire in the late 1870s. Today cattle and sheep ranching, alfalfa, cotton, chile and pecan farming are important staples of the economy. In addition, oil was discovered in 1924 and opened up the regional Permian Basin. The Navajo Refinery dominates the eastern side of U. S. Highway 285 as you enter the city.
Southeastern New Mexico does not exist.
I knew that at an early age. No one travels there except the people who actually live there. It was a startling lesson for a world traveler transplanted to Lovington by his mother who wanted to "go home" after her divorce. She was born there. I know. She showed me where: a tiny white house on the outskirts of the "city". It was the only city I'd ever known that you could cross on foot in a day. Or less. And when you came to the city limit there, the city actually ended. Desert from there on out.
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