Located 143 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas and 36 miles from the city of Carlsbad, the town of Artesia in Eden County, New Mexico is a quiet, pleasant and prosperous town which also offers a diverse range of activities to its visitors and residents. According to the 2010 census, the town had a population of 11,301.

The Artesia New Mexico of today gives the impression of a small community-based town with a quiet and pleasant atmosphere ideal to live and raise a family away from the hubbub of big city life. Yet, the town is heir to a rather long and varied past. The name of the town itself was changed twice before the present one stuck. During the time when it was a railroad town, it was called ‘Miller’, then ‘Stegman’, and eventually ‘Artesia’ after a number of artesian wells were found in the nearby area. Thanks to these wells, agriculture flourished for sometime before the wells were depleted.

Fortunately for the town however, it was discovered that the area was rich in oil reserve and subsequently a number of oil wells were drilled in and around Artesia. Since that time, the oil/energy industry has played a major role in the town’s economy and its growing prosperity.

But the town merits mention just as much for its natural splendor. Although located in the high desert of southeastern New Mexico, the city itself has enough greenery and beautiful tree-covered lanes to give lie to its topographical location. Even when you venture outside the city limits, you will encounter both high desert as well as wet lakelands.

Some of the more popular tourist attractions near Artesia include the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the only National Park in the state; the White Sands National Monument; Living Desert State Park; and the massive Lincoln National Forest. Within city limits, you can enjoy fishing, boating, water skiing and sailing at the Brantley Lake State Park. The golfers will enjoy the beautiful 18-hole golf course at the Artesia Country Club. And art lovers will love to stop by the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art and will be just as delighted to see the murals of the Heritage Walkway downtown. And if you’re at Artesia in July, make sure you don’t miss the fun and the excitement of the annually held Eddy County Fair.