Artesia in Eddy County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Independent Spirit
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012
1. Independent Spirit Marker
Inscription.
Independent Spirit. . The men who drove cattle from Texas up along the Pecos River during the mid-1860s until the barbed-wire era of the early 1900s were tough, independent and courageous. Those who chose to settle down and ranch in the surrounding plains or rugged Guadalupe and Sacramento Mountains retained that Independent Spirit to a marked degree, which was necessary to face the rugged terrain, harsh climate and lawless conditions of the times. , With the arrival of the railroad in 1894, Artesia became first, a cattle shipping point and economic base for area ranchers, and second, a home for determined farmers irrigating their farms with artesian water. The strong wills of these farmers and ranchers were matched by the risk-taking oil wildcatters who burst onto the scene after oil was discovered in 1924. , Together these rugged and determined individuals set the stage for the development and growth of Artesia. To this day, Artesia is home to a significant number of risk-takers and entrepreneurs, who are not only involved in far-reaching business ventures, but also deeply committed to making Artesia a better place to live. This monument is dedicated to Artesia's can-do attitude and, most of all, its Independent Spirit that has become so well-known throughout New Mexico. , "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." – John Wayne
The men who drove cattle from Texas up along the Pecos River during the mid-1860s until the barbed-wire era of the early 1900s were tough, independent and courageous. Those who chose to settle down and ranch in the surrounding plains or rugged Guadalupe and Sacramento Mountains retained that Independent Spirit to a marked degree, which was necessary to face the rugged terrain, harsh climate and lawless conditions of the times.
With the arrival of the railroad in 1894, Artesia became first, a cattle shipping point and economic base for area ranchers, and second, a home for determined farmers irrigating their farms with artesian water. The strong wills of these farmers and ranchers were matched by the risk-taking oil wildcatters who burst onto the scene after oil was discovered in 1924.
Together these rugged and determined individuals set the stage for the development and growth of Artesia. To this day, Artesia is home to a significant number of risk-takers and entrepreneurs, who are not only involved in far-reaching business ventures, but also deeply committed to making Artesia a better place to live. This monument is dedicated to Artesia's can-do attitude and, most of all, its Independent Spirit that has become so well-known throughout New Mexico.
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway."
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– John Wayne
Erected 2007.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 32° 50.553′ N, 104° 23.841′ W. Marker is in Artesia, New Mexico, in Eddy County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 82 and U.S. 285, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 82. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Artesia NM 88210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Trail Boss
Vic Payne, Sculptor
Eagle Bronze Foundry
Lander, Wyoming
March 24, 2007
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012
4. Dedication Plaque
Artesia Main Street appreciates the generosity of our supporters, who have made the Trail Boss monument possible:
Don & Jean Brewer - Mack. C. Chase Family - Marbob Energy Corporation ~ In loving memory of John R. Gray - Navajo Refining Company - The Yates Families
"There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect." – Ronald Reagan
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012
5. Trail Boss
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 27, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.