Constructed 2013. Commissioned by Prudential Insurance in 1952 and painted by Peter Hurd, this striking mural was painted directly onto a 15’x 47′ plaster wall and weighs 58,000 pounds. The wall was rescued from a building in Houston before its demolition and transported to Midland, Texas where it was housed Read more…
Constructed 1939. The Old City Hall was built with WPA funds in 1939. It is currently being used as an office building and is managed by Artesia MainStreet. As WPA (Works Progress Administration, a depression-era program) building project, it brought several City departments together under the same roof, including the Read more…
Constructed 1935. The Ocotillo Theater was built in 1935 by theater owner and developer C.W. Bartlett and his son Ray, who built and operated several historic theaters in Artesia. The Ocotillo was converted to a popular cafeteria in the 1950s. The Artesia Arts Council acquired the Ocotillo in 2001 and Read more…
Constructed 1947. In 1947, a first-class, state-of-the-art movie theater, Land of the Sun, opened in Artesia. It was operated by the Gilchrist family until 1975. Eventually it came into ownership by Carmike Cinemas, and by the late 1990s, the theater had become rundown, inside and out. Artesia MainStreet and Carmike Read more…
Constructed 2008. The new Hotel Artesia was inspired by the Historic Hotel Artesia, which was a several story building located just a couple blocks away, but demolished over 40 years ago. The current Hotel Artesia was designed by architect Richard Yates inspired by the region’s tradition of outstanding mid-century modernism Read more…
Constructed 2007. Several monuments are located in the Artesia MainStreet District that celebrate the history of the community. The monumental sculptures that comprise the History in Bronze public art project, depict scenes from the cattle drive era to the later discovery of oil in the area. The monuments include: The Read more…
Constructed 1976. Heritage Walkway took shape after a building fire left the lot vacant circa 1962. In 1976, the Artesia Junior Women’s Club created two murals, with the assistance of a local art teacher, in celebration of our country’s bicentennial year. The Artesia Garden Club maintained the Walkway for years Read more…
Constructed 2004. Artesia MainStreet commissioned sculptor Vic Payne to create a life-size sculpture of a “Derrick Floor” drilling rig featuring a four-man crew. The 125 percent life-size sculpture puts the emphasis on the individuals who built the oil patch. A landscaped plaza, featuring a relaxing fountain, trees, decorative brick work, Read more…
Constructed 1991. Located in front of City Hall you will find Artesia’s Baish Veterans Park. The original memorial site was dedicated in 1991. In 2012, Artesia MainStreet teamed up with the City of Artesia and local veterans in creating a design that enhanced Baish Veterans Park with the installation of Read more…
Constructed 1904. With mature trees shading many of its streets, a public park improved by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and its early and mid-twentieth century building stock, Artesia’s historic residential district retains its original gracious character and integrity. Architecturally Artesia was influenced by the proximity of the railroad as Read more…
Constructed 1913. The Artesia Railroad Depot has been restored and revitalized and now houses educational museum exhibits on the regional industries of southeastern New Mexico, including oil and gas and the dairy industry. The adjacent building houses the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. 101 N. First St. Artesia, NM 88241 | Read more…
Constructed 1905. The Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center is housed in the 1905 Moore-Ward cobblestone house, built using river rocks from the Rio Penasco just south of town. A wide variety of exhibits and objects are on display, including Native American artifacts, farm and ranch tools, early oil and Read more…
Constructed 1937. “The Artesia Improvement Company donated the land for a city park in 1906. In 1937, the corner pillars and stone walkways to the center of the park were added as a WPA project. Artesia Main Street, a local downtown revitalization organization, has plans for a complete renovation of Read more…