Near Artesia in Eddy County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Sallie Chisum Robert

“First Lady of Artesia”

— 1858-1936 —

Sallie Chisum Robert Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

1. Sallie Chisum Robert Marker

Inscription. Sallie was 19 when she arrived from Texas at her Uncle John Chisum’s Jinglebob Land and Livestock Company ranch south of Roswell. Her ranching skills rivaled those of the cowboys she joined driving cattle up her uncle’s Goodnight-Loving Trail to Colorado. She and her second husband opened the first post office and reading room in what became Artesia. Her landholdings are part of Artesia’s original townsite and include the site of her cast-stone house where she raised many orphans. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Some of her diaries are preserved at the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center. They include entries about her uncle, Billy the Kid, the Regulators, and the Lincoln County War.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 32° 50.563′ N, 104° 20.542′ W. Marker is near Artesia, New Mexico, in Eddy County. Marker is on Lovington Highway (U.S. 82) one mile east of North Haldeman Road (New Mexico Highway 229), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Artesia NM 88210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Independent Spirit (approx. 3.2 miles away);

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The Atkeson-Conner House (approx. 3.3 miles away); First Lady of Artesia (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Mauldin-Hall House (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Baskin Building (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Gesler House (approx. 3½ miles away); The Partnership (approx. 3½ miles away); Mack C. Chase (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Artesia.

Also see . . .
1. Sallie Chisum Robert “First Lady of Artesia”. Her ranching skills rivaled fellow cowboys, earning her the nickname of “Tex”. Her orchards near Roswell were known as the “Oasis in the Desert,” and she left valuable written records of Billy the Kid, the Regulators, and the Lincoln County War. (New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program) (Submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Sallie Chisum Robert House (PDF). National Register nomination for her 1912 house in Artesia, which was listed in 1979. (Prepared by Ellen Threinen, New Mexioo Historic Preservation Program; via National Archives) (Submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

2. Sallie Chisum Robert Marker

Sallie Chisum Robert (1858-1936) image. Click for full size.

via New Mexico Historic Women Marker Project (Public Domain)

3. Sallie Chisum Robert (1858-1936)

Sallie was the gracious hostess of the Chisum ranch, which was a gathering stop for cowboys such as Pat Garret, Billy the Kid, and the Regulators.

Sallie Chisum Robert House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

4. Sallie Chisum Robert House

The 1912 false-stone house was the third one, and only one still standing, that she built in present-day Artesia. She lived in the house until 1919, when she moved to California.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.