Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Truth or Consequences is a spa city
and the county seat
of Sierra County
, New Mexico
, United States
. As of the 2000 census, the population was 7,289. It is commonly known within New Mexico
as T or C.
Originally named Hot Springs, the city changed its name
to Truth or Consequences, the title of a popular NBC
radio program. In 1950, Ralph Edwards
, the host of the radio quiz show Truth or Consequences
, announced that he would air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. Hot Springs won the honor. Edwards visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next fifty years. This event was called "Fiesta" and included a beauty contest, a parade, and a stage show. The city still celebrates Fiesta each year on the first weekend of May. The parade generally features area celebrities such as the Hatch Chile
Queen. Fiesta also features a dance in Ralph Edwards Park.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.2 km²), of which, 12.6 square miles (32.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.86%) is water.
The city is located on the Rio Grande
, near Elephant Butte Reservoir
.
.
The combined flow of the hot springs complex in Truth or Consequences is estimated at 99 liters/second.
Before World War II, there were about 40 hot springs spas in Truth or Consequences. By 2008, the Hot Springs Association in Truth or Consequences had 10 spa facilities as members. Five of those obtained their water from wells, and La Paloma Hot Springs & Spa (formerly Marshall Hot Springs), Indian Springs Bath House and Hay-Yo-Kay Hot Springs are from free flowing hot springs.
The New Mexico State Energy and Minerals Department created two demonstration projects using geothermal energy in Truth or Consequences in the 1980s. The Carrie Tingley Hospital for children with physical disabilities, which has since moved to Albuquerque, used the state money to create a physical therapy program. The local Senior Citizen's Center benefits from a geothermal space heating system.
of 2000, there were 7,289 people, 3,450 households, and 1,859 families residing in the city. The population density
was 576.0 people per square mile (222.5/km²). There were 4,445 housing units at an average density of 351.3 per square mile (135.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.35% White, 0.63% African American, 1.77% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 9.36% from other races
, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 67.36% of the population.
There were 3,450 households out of which 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 41.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,986, and the median income for a family was $28,750. Males had a median income of $23,214 versus $18,207 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,415. About 15.6% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.
The city is served by the Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport
, Interstate 25
, I-25 Business, New Mexico State Road 51 (NM 51), NM 181 and NM 187
Truth or Consequences, a photographic portrait of the town, was published in 2001 by British photographer Nick Waplington
.
The city is home to the Geronimo Springs Museum and the Hamilton Military Museum (opened November 2009), which is part of Veterans Memorial Park.
The New Mexico State Veterans' Hospital, originally built as Carrie Tingley Hospital for Crippled Children in 1937, is also located in Truth or Consequences.
Truth or Consequences formerly had the only franchise of K-Bob's Steakhouse
actually owned by the company (since closed), which is based in Santa Fe
. The company chairman is Edward R. Tinsley, III
, a rancher in Lincoln County
who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 2008 general election
.
. In 1916 the town was incorporated as Hot Springs. It became the Sierra County seat in 1937.
, 30 miles (48.3 km) east, is "the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport", to be the headquarters of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority
. Virgin Galactic
plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Truth or Consequences Post Office and the Geronimo Springs Station.
lived in Elephant Butte, which is 5 miles from Truth or Consequences. On September 20, 2001, he was sentenced to 224 years in prison for abduction, rape, torture and — in some cases — murder of at least 12 people, although the FBI estimates the total number of victims could be as high as 60.
hometown of Cactus Jack
and Dude Love, two of the several professional wrestling
personas of Mick Foley
.
The 1997 Kiefer Sutherland
film Truth or Consequences, N.M.
was shot in Utah and Nevada. No filming took place in the town, or in the state of New Mexico.
Dan Bern
's 2001 song "Turning Over," from the album New American Language
, begins "Sittin' in that town in New Mexico / Named after a game show."
The opening verse of Bruce Springsteen
's 2007 song "Last to Die," from the album Magic
, makes reference to a place called Truth or Consequences.
Spa town
A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...
and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Sierra County
Sierra County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.6% White*0.4% Black*1.7% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.3% Two or more races*8.6% Other races*28.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census, the population was 7,289. It is commonly known within New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
as T or C.
Originally named Hot Springs, the city changed its name
Geographical renaming
Geographical renaming is the changing of the name of a geographical feature or area. This can range from the uncontroversial change of a street name to a highly disputed change to the name of a country. Some names are changed locally but the new names are not recognised by other countries,...
to Truth or Consequences, the title of a popular NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
radio program. In 1950, Ralph Edwards
Ralph Edwards
Ralph Livingstone Edwards was an American radio and television host and television producer.-Early career:Born in Merino, Colorado , Edwards worked for KROW-AM in Oakland, California while he was still in high school...
, the host of the radio quiz show Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences is an American quiz show originally hosted on NBC radio by Ralph Edwards and later on television by Edwards , Jack Bailey , Bob Barker , Bob Hilton and Larry Anderson . The television show ran on CBS, NBC and also in syndication...
, announced that he would air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. Hot Springs won the honor. Edwards visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next fifty years. This event was called "Fiesta" and included a beauty contest, a parade, and a stage show. The city still celebrates Fiesta each year on the first weekend of May. The parade generally features area celebrities such as the Hatch Chile
Hatch, New Mexico
Hatch is a village in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,673 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Las Cruces Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is experiencing moderate growth, along with its outliers of Salem, Arrey, Derry, and Rincon...
Queen. Fiesta also features a dance in Ralph Edwards Park.
Geography
Truth or Consequences is located at 33°8′1"N 107°15′10"W (33.133614, -107.252897).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.2 km²), of which, 12.6 square miles (32.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.86%) is water.
The city is located on the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
, near Elephant Butte Reservoir
Elephant Butte Reservoir
Elephant Butte Reservoir is a reservoir on the Rio Grande in the U.S. state of New Mexico, north of Truth or Consequences. It is impounded by Elephant Butte Dam and is the largest reservoir in New Mexico...
.
Hot Springs
There are several local hot springsHot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
.
The combined flow of the hot springs complex in Truth or Consequences is estimated at 99 liters/second.
Before World War II, there were about 40 hot springs spas in Truth or Consequences. By 2008, the Hot Springs Association in Truth or Consequences had 10 spa facilities as members. Five of those obtained their water from wells, and La Paloma Hot Springs & Spa (formerly Marshall Hot Springs), Indian Springs Bath House and Hay-Yo-Kay Hot Springs are from free flowing hot springs.
The New Mexico State Energy and Minerals Department created two demonstration projects using geothermal energy in Truth or Consequences in the 1980s. The Carrie Tingley Hospital for children with physical disabilities, which has since moved to Albuquerque, used the state money to create a physical therapy program. The local Senior Citizen's Center benefits from a geothermal space heating system.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,289 people, 3,450 households, and 1,859 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 576.0 people per square mile (222.5/km²). There were 4,445 housing units at an average density of 351.3 per square mile (135.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.35% White, 0.63% African American, 1.77% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 9.36% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 67.36% of the population.
There were 3,450 households out of which 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 41.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,986, and the median income for a family was $28,750. Males had a median income of $23,214 versus $18,207 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,415. About 15.6% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.
Characteristics
The city is a popular tourist destination for New Mexicans, who come to soak in the hot springs or to visit nearby Elephant Butte Lake. It is also a common retirement location, partly due to low house prices (median $75,000) and a mild climate. Outdoor sports such as golf, hiking and fishing are popular.The city is served by the Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport
Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport
Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located six miles north of Truth or Consequences, a city in Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. This general aviation airport is publicly owned by the city of Truth or Consequences. It has 5 runways, only one of which is paved....
, Interstate 25
Interstate 25 in New Mexico
In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Interstate 25 follows the north–south corridor through Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It replaced U.S. Route 85, which is no longer signed, but still exists in route logs sharing the I-25 alignment. I-25 starts in New Mexico at an interchange with I-10 in Las Cruces and...
, I-25 Business, New Mexico State Road 51 (NM 51), NM 181 and NM 187
Truth or Consequences, a photographic portrait of the town, was published in 2001 by British photographer Nick Waplington
Nick Waplington
The artist and photographer Nick Waplington was born 1970 in Aden and lives in New York City. The eldest of three children, he traveled extensively during his childhood as his father worked as a scientist in the nuclear industry. He studied art at Worthing Art College, Trent Poly and The Royal...
.
The city is home to the Geronimo Springs Museum and the Hamilton Military Museum (opened November 2009), which is part of Veterans Memorial Park.
The New Mexico State Veterans' Hospital, originally built as Carrie Tingley Hospital for Crippled Children in 1937, is also located in Truth or Consequences.
Truth or Consequences formerly had the only franchise of K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob’s Steakhouse is a regional restaurant chain that operates in the cattle country of Texas and New Mexico. Founded in 1966 in Clovis, New Mexico, by Gabe E. Parson , the company sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989, and reopened in 1991 under the ownership and management of Edward Roy Tinsley...
actually owned by the company (since closed), which is based in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
. The company chairman is Edward R. Tinsley, III
Edward R. Tinsley
Edward Roy Tinsley, III , is an attorney, rancher, and businessman with interests in oil, natural gas, and restaurants who has twice failed in Republican bids for the United States House of Representatives from the 2nd congressional district of his adopted state of New Mexico...
, a rancher in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.1% White*0.5% Black*2.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*9.1% Other races*29.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 2008 general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
.
Early history
The first bath in the area was built at "John Cross Ranch" over Geronimo Springs in the late 1800s. However, major settlement did not begin until the construction of Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir in 1912. The dam was completed in 1916. Elephant Butte Dam was a part of the Rio Grande Project, an early large-scale irrigation effort authorized under the Reclamation Act of 1902Newlands Reclamation Act
The Reclamation Act of 1902 is a United States federal law that funded irrigation projects for the arid lands of 20 states in the American West....
. In 1916 the town was incorporated as Hot Springs. It became the Sierra County seat in 1937.
Government and Spaceport America
Spaceport AmericaSpaceport America
Spaceport America is a spaceport located in the Jornada del Muerto desert basin in New Mexico, United States. It lies north of El Paso, north of Las Cruces, east of Truth or Consequences...
, 30 miles (48.3 km) east, is "the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport", to be the headquarters of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority
New Mexico Spaceport Authority
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority is a non-governmental panel, appointed by the Governor of New Mexico, whose members represent the public sector in the development and construction of Spaceport America, a facility, under construction as of March 2011, that is expected to be the first...
. Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a company within Richard Branson's Virgin Group which plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public, along with suborbital space science missions and orbital launches of small satellites...
plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Truth or Consequences Post Office and the Geronimo Springs Station.
Crime
Serial killer David Parker RayDavid Parker Ray
David Parker Ray was a suspected American serial killer and known torturer of women; though no bodies were found, he was accused by his accomplices of killing several people, and suspected by police to have murdered as many as 60 people in the town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico...
lived in Elephant Butte, which is 5 miles from Truth or Consequences. On September 20, 2001, he was sentenced to 224 years in prison for abduction, rape, torture and — in some cases — murder of at least 12 people, although the FBI estimates the total number of victims could be as high as 60.
Popular culture
The town was the fictionalKayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
hometown of Cactus Jack
Cactus Jack
Cactus Jack may refer to:* Cactus Jack, Serbian hard rock band* The UK and Australian release name of the 1979 movie The Villain, starring Kirk Douglas as Cactus Jack.* A ring name of professional wrestler Mick Foley...
and Dude Love, two of the several professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
personas of Mick Foley
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
.
The 1997 Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland is an English-born Canadian actor, producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Jack Bauer on the Fox thriller drama series 24 for which he has won an Emmy Award , a Golden Globe award , two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Satellite...
film Truth or Consequences, N.M.
Truth or Consequences, N.M. (film)
Truth or Consequences, N.M. is a 1997 American neo-noir film directed by Kiefer Sutherland, in his directorial debut. The film was executive produced by Phillip M. Goldfarb and features Sutherland, Vincent Gallo, Mykelti Williamson, Kevin Pollak, Max Perlich, Rod Steiger and Kim Dickens among others...
was shot in Utah and Nevada. No filming took place in the town, or in the state of New Mexico.
Dan Bern
Dan Bern
Dan Bern is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, novelist and painter. His music is often compared to that of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Ochs and Elvis Costello....
's 2001 song "Turning Over," from the album New American Language
New American Language (album)
New American Language is Iowa native singer/songwriter Dan Bern's first release with Messenger Records.-Track listing:Unless otherwise noted, all tracks by Dan Bern#"Sweetness" – 3:53#"New American Language" – 5:12...
, begins "Sittin' in that town in New Mexico / Named after a game show."
The opening verse of Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
's 2007 song "Last to Die," from the album Magic
Magic (Bruce Springsteen album)
Magic is the 15th studio album by Bruce Springsteen, released in 2007 on Columbia Records. It is his first with the E Street Band since The Rising in 2002...
, makes reference to a place called Truth or Consequences.
See also
- DISH, TexasDISH, TexasDISH is a town in Denton County, Texas, United States. The town had an estimated population of 218 as of July 1, 2009, according to the United States Census Bureau. This community, established in June 2000, was originally named Clark...
- Marble Falls, ArkansasMarble Falls, ArkansasMarble Falls is an unincorporated community in Newton County, Arkansas, United States. It lies along Arkansas's National Scenic 7 Bywaybetween Harrison and Jasper. The Marble Falls Post Office is located in the parking lot of the now defunct theme park called Dogpatch USA...
, formerly known as Dogpatch - Spaceport AmericaSpaceport AmericaSpaceport America is a spaceport located in the Jornada del Muerto desert basin in New Mexico, United States. It lies north of El Paso, north of Las Cruces, east of Truth or Consequences...
External links
- City of Truth or Consequences official website
- Truth or Consequences-Sierra County NM Chamber of Commerce
- Map of commercial hot springs spas in Truth or Consequences
- Visitor information for Truth or Consequences in Sierra County NM
- Trails.com description of Truth or Consequences hot springs
- Introduction to Truth or Consequences - from Frommers.com
- City-Data.com - Truth or Consequences, New Mexico