Roswell in Chaves County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Humble Beginnings

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 3, 2017

1. Humble Beginnings Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Roswell’s first building was erected near this spot. Built by James Patterson, the 15 by 15 foot trading post was a rest stop along the Goodnight Loving Cattle Trail. The trading post was later acquired by Van C. Smith who, around 1870, added onto the structure, turning it into a saloon, restaurant, casino, and hotel. After Smith departed Roswell, the building was acquired by Captain Joseph C. Lea, a Confederate Civil War veteran, who turned Roswell into a tamer, more agreeable place to live. The Smith-Lea building stood until 1913 when Wildy Lea, the Captain’s son, tore it down to make room for new commercial buildings.

Funding support provided by Lawrence C. Harris, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, and the 2012 Centennial Committee

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 33° 23.829′ N, 104° 31.378′ W. Marker is in Roswell, New Mexico, in Chaves County. Marker is on Main Street near E. 4th Street, on the left when traveling north. Located in Roswell Pioneer Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roswell NM 88201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Roswell Pioneer Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Roswell's Military Institutes (within shouting distance of this marker); Continental Oil Company Station 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); John Simpson Chisum (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaves County Veterans War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Roswell’s First General Store and Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaves County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); N.M. 200th Coast Artillery AA Regt. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roswell.

Also see . . .
1. City of Roswell. (Submitted on April 18, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Roswell, New Mexico on Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 18, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 3, 2017

2. Humble Beginnings Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.