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

Louise Massey Mabie (1902-1983)

The Original Rhinestone Cowgirl

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014

1. Side A: Louise Massey Mabie (1902-1983) Marker

Inscription.
One of the first female radio stars in the 1930s, Louise's career spanned from 1918-1950. Her recordings in English and Spanish sold millions of copies. Heading the Roswell-based group, Louise Massey and the Westerners, she became known for spectacular costumes and a ladylike demeanor, garnering the title “the Original Rhinestone Cowgirl”. She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1982.

New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.

Location. 33° 23.987′

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

N, 104° 20.815′ W. Marker is near Roswell, New Mexico, in Chaves County. It is on U.S. 380 at milepost 165, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4295 E 2nd St, Roswell NM 88201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bottomless Lakes State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Goodnight-Loving Trail (approx. 2.1 miles away); Roswell (approx. 7.7 miles away); a different marker also named Roswell (approx. 9.9 miles away); Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett (approx. 10 miles away); Chaves County Court House (approx. 10.1 miles away); Justice in the Wild West (approx. 10.1 miles away); Chaves County Gulf War Monument (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roswell.

<i>Side B:</i> New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014

2. Side B: New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative Marker

Louise Massey Mabie (1902-1983) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014

3. Louise Massey Mabie (1902-1983) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.