Text on marker: Artesia, named for the area's many artesian wells, lies on the route of the Pecos Valley cattle trails used by Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, and John S. Chisum. The town, established in 1903, is located in what was once part of Chisum's vast cattle empire.
Artesia is an interesting small town. Situated in the oil patch, and with a refinery as a large employer and tax base, it displays a can do attitude and enjoys a friendly rivalry with its neighbor to the north, Roswell.