Truth or Consequences: a tale of Geronimo, hot springs and Hollywood

Native American history, healing waters and showbiz are ingredients for an intriguing story about a unique town along the banks of the Rio Grande in the high desert of southern New Mexico. 

Truth or Consequences, which was originally called Hot Springs, has a colorful past that can be traced to prehistoric peoples, who came to the area and built early pit houses and pueblo-like dwellings along the canyons emptying into the river. For hundreds of years, Native Americans met at the hot mineral springs that flowed from the ground where the town is now located. They bathed, socialized and cared for their wounds and ailments, discovering that the waters had inherent healing properties. It is believed that the famous Apache warrior, Geronimo, soaked in these springs. In the late 16th century, the Spanish arrived and in time, white settlers began moving into the ranch and mine.

Hot Springs underwent a name change with the help of Hollywood. Ralph Edwards, host of the popular radio and later, T.V. show, “Truth or Consequences,” made an announcement in 1949 that he was seeking a U.S. city to rename itself in honor of the program’s 10th anniversary. The idea was meant to be a stunt to commemorate this occasion. Edwards promised that the milestone segment would be broadcast from the chosen town and that the national press corps would cover the name change, thus giving the city nationwide publicity. 

Several towns sent letters indicating their desire to participate; the most interesting one came from Hot Springs, New Mexico. Leaders of the community saw the opportunity as a chance to advertise their city and its resources free of charge. Better still, it would help to set the town apart from others with the same name and thus minimize confusion. 

The show’s producer, Ed Bailey, traveled to Hot Springs and interviewed the people and elected officials. New Mexico State Senator Burton Roach put his two cents in, telling Bailey and Edwards that the town centered around the hot mineral baths, which benefited thousands of sufferers from rheumatism and arthritis. He explained how the waters helped rehab crippled kids from all over the state at the local Carrie Tingley orthopedic hospital. 

The final decision was left to the residents of Hot Springs, who subsequently voted on the name change on March 31, 1950. The next day, which was ironically April Fool’s Day, the first Truth or Consequences Fiesta was staged in town, where the radio show was broadcast over NBC to the entire country. A large parade was held and Edwards was front and center of all the festivities. This was the beginning of the special relationship between a man and a town. Even though the agreement was only supposed to be for one year, Edwards faithfully made the trip each year for the next fifty, always at Fiesta time. 

Today, Truth or Consequences, or T or C as it is commonly referred to by those in the know, continues to celebrate the occasion with the Ralph Edwards Appreciation Dinner, Miss Fiesta contest, golf tournament and other activities, leading up to the parade, show and rodeo that marks the name and the changes that came to the town through the friendship of Ralph Edwards. 

Visitors to T or C can learn all about the city’s rich history at the Geronimo Springs Museum, where highlights include examples of Native American pottery, a life size wax statue of Geronimo, mammoth and mastodon skulls found in the area, a replication of a complete ranch setting, an authentic miner’s log cabin, Hispanic Heritage displays and of course, the Ralph Edwards Room, which is full of photos and memorabilia dedicated to the man, his show and the story of the name change. 

Next to the museum is Las Palomas Plaza, the site of the original hot mineral springs where the Apache bathed. Hot mineral water actually flows directly from underground, cascading down artist-sculpted ceramic mountains and flowing along canals and benches. The water is geothermally heated with temps ranging from 95- 117 degrees Fahrenheit and surprisingly has no unpleasant odor or taste. Its high mineral content is said to have great restorative and therapeutic properties, which is what spurred the creation of the town’s bathhouse scene. By the 1930s and 40s, T or C was known as a healing center and people came in droves to take the waters for the “cure.” The “21 day soak” regimen was particularly popular. It involved soaking once daily for 21 days at around the same time each day, followed by a rest period.

Today, there are nearly a dozen bathhouses offering private and communal soaking tubs or natural pebble bottom pools. Some allow day use, while others reserve their mineral waters for their overnight guests. And a number of them offer spa treatments and healing modalities, too, such as massage, reflexology, Reiki and more. 

Most of the places have been restored in quaint and eye-catching styles. There’s scenic Riverbend Hot Springs, for example, where you’ll soak with a view on the banks of the Rio Grande; the Blackstone, a resort created inside a 1930s restored motor court with indoor and outdoor communal tubs and a hot springs steam room with massaging waterfall; artsy Fire Water Lodge, also a restored vintage motor court; Pelican Spa, a boutique hotel and spa featuring Japanese style indoor tubs; historic Charles Motel, boasting original medical style bathhouse and rooftop tubs; La Paloma Too, which has the oldest baths in town, and the no-frills, rustic Indian Springs. 

In a class in itself is the upscale Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa, an iconic hotel built in 1929 and now under the ownership of mogul Ted Turner. The property is a lovely sanctuary for body, mind and spirit, offering an array of holistic spa treatments, along with both indoor and outdoor private mineral bath facilities. Rooms are tastefully decorated with furnishings that reflect the distinctive qualities of this diverse region.

Although T or C is a small town, with a population under 7,000, its quirky vibe attracts curious visitors from all over the country. It’s a place where folks can recapture the feeling of bygone days and step back in time. Downtown is dotted with historic buildings dating back to the 1920s. Many are on the State and National Historical Registry and remain the same as they were when the town was a thriving health mecca. 

A number of artists make their home in T or C and their work is on display at several eclectic galleries. And if you’re into retro and antiques, you’ll be in seventh heaven with all the vintage and secondhand stores that are chock-full of treasures from eras past.

Outdoor lovers will appreciate the 350 days of sunshine and mild temps that make the area a great escape from the cold weather of the northern climes. There are plenty of recreation options, including golf, swimming, hiking and boating. Nearby, Elephant Butte Dam and Lake is the state’s largest and most popular state park. The lake takes its name from a rocky island northeast of the dam, which bears an uncanny resemblance to an enormous elephant head and torso rising from the water. The dam, which was completed in 1916, was once the largest of its kind in the country. 

For information about Truth or Consequences and the surrounding area:  sierracountynewmexico.info