Contact Info
107 North First Street
Artesia, NM 88210
- Toll-Free:
- 800-658-6251
- Phone:
- 575-746-2744
Basics
- Location:
- Downtown Artesia
- Type:
- City Park-Neighborhood,
Historical Site,
Monument-Building
- Price:
- Free
Description
Located in the historic Artesia Train Depot, the Artesia Visitors Center is the starting point for the Artesia Walking Tour. Travel through the past and experience Artesia through the eyes of the pioneers and settlers of the southwest as you take our Walking Tour at your leisure. Even if you aren't a history buff, you and your family will enjoy the sights and sounds of this historic community, appreciating the hard work of those who came before us.
Our Walking Tour begins at with the Train Depot & Artesia's Vistior's Center. It procedes through town, stopping at each of our History in Bronze monuments.
About the Artesia Trail Depot
The railroad came to Artesia in 1894 and the original wooden-frame depot was built in 1897. In 1912 the depot was converted to a freight depot and the current structure was built as a passenger depot. Through the first half of the 1900s, the depot serviced passengers, local freight and potash trains daily. The original wood-frame structure was lost to fire in the late 1940s.
In 1967, passenger service was discontinued and by 1972 the depot was closed. In 1998 Burlington Northern donated the structure and land to the City of Artesia. The depot was restored in 2000 for use as a Visitors Center and new construction was added for Chamber offices.
