Historical Marker

Josephine Cox “Grandma” Anderson, "The Angel of the Pecos" (1849-1941)

Historical marker location:
US 62/180, westbound, Carlsbad vicinity, New Mexico
( east of Carlsbad)

During the terrible “la grippe” flu epidemic of 1918, Grandma fearlessly led other women in nursing and feeding the sick in tents and shacks along the banks of the Pecos River. She did not lose a single patient, later opening a sanatorium in Carlsbad. Humanitarian, nurse, teacher; she earned the nickname “The Angel of the Pecos.”

The Historic Women Marker Initiative of 2007 captured the public’s imagination. It has received international attention for its ambitious goal of telling women’s history in New Mexico on some of the state’s 650 Official Scenic Historic Markers. Before 2007, perhaps three markers mentioned women at all.

The lives of the only known female Buffalo solider, one of the world’s most famous artists, and unsung heroes like Sally Rooke who gave her life at her switchboard warning Folsom’s citizens of a wall of water approaching their town are honored on 75 women’s history markers.

The first phase of the Initiative concluded in 2010. Ten more markers were installed in 2015 and an additional 25 are expected to bring their numbers to an even 100 in the coming years. The program is a partnership of the New Mexico Women’s Forum, HPD, CPRC, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and the public. The 2006 legislature made the initial 65 historic markers possible.

Like all state historic markers, the women’s history markers are designed in the Park Service Rustic style adopted when the program began in 1935. What’s different is their perspective of New Mexico history.

Audiobooks about the history of New Mexico.
In the early 1800s, New Mexico became an important center for trade along the Santa Fe Trail, which connected Missouri to Santa Fe. The trail was used by traders, trappers, and settlers to transport goods and supplies across the frontier.
New Mexico random facts
Eddy County, New Mexico has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Apache and Navajo tribes, who relied on the land's resources for sustenance. European exploration and settlement began in the late 16th century when Spanish conquistadors arrived in search of gold and silver. They established missions and trading posts, introducing Catholicism and new technologies to the indigenous populations.

In the 19th century, Eddy County experienced significant changes due to the expansion of the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 brought the region under American control, and it became part of the New Mexico Territory. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century had a profound impact on the county's development. Eddy County quickly became a major oil-producing area, attracting investment and leading to a population boom.

Eddy County played a significant role in World War II. Carlsbad Army Airfield, now known as Cavern City Air Terminal, was constructed in 1941 and served as a training base for bomber crews. Additionally, the nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park was utilized as a storage site for sensitive materials during the war.

In more recent years, Eddy County has focused on diversifying its economy to reduce dependence on the oil industry. The tourism sector has grown, with the Carlsbad Caverns National Park attracting visitors from all over the world. The county also embraces agricultural production, particularly in dairy and pecan farming. Eddy County continues to evolve and thrive, preserving its rich history while adapting to new opportunities and challenges.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Eddy County, New Mexico.

  • 1852 - Eddy County is established as a county in the New Mexico Territory.
  • 1861 - The county seat is moved from San Jose to Karval, which is later renamed as Carlsbad.
  • 1892 - Carlsbad Caverns are named a national monument.
  • 1899 - The first commercial oil well in New Mexico is drilled in Eddy County.
  • 1918 - The construction of the Brantley Dam starts on the Pecos River to provide irrigation water for the area.
  • 1923 - Eddy County's population reaches its peak due to the oil boom.
  • 1930s - The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) builds infrastructure in Eddy County, including roads and trails.
  • 1947 - Carlsbad Caverns National Park is established, protecting the cave system.
  • 1977 - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) opens in Eddy County for the disposal of radioactive waste.
  • 1980s - Eddy County experiences another oil boom, increasing the population and economic activity.
  • 1992 - Eddy County Historical Museum is opened in Carlsbad to preserve and showcase the region's history.
  • 2000 - The town of Loving becomes incorporated as a municipality in Eddy County.
  • 2010 - Eddy County's population surpasses 50,000 residents.