In 1950, This New Mexico Town Voted to Rename Itself for a Radio Show Contest

The Awesome Story Behind “T or C”

Try Googling “weirdest city names in the US,” and we practically guarantee “Truth or Consequences, New Mexico” will be in there.

Fondly shortened to “T or C” by the locals, the town used to go by a more traditional name. Here’s the story behind why this town renamed itself, which is just as quirky as you’d expect.

The Town’s Original Name is ‘Hot Springs’

Back in the late 1800s, people knew this area as Palomas Hot Springs. The town dropped ‘Palomas’ when it officially became a town in 1916.

The natural springs that flow from the Hot Springs Artesian Basin gave the town its name, and people came from far away to soak in the mineral spas.

The NBC Radio Show That Started It All

“Truth or Consequences” was a radio game show that aired on NBC. To celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, Edwards announced that he would broadcast a special episode from the first town in America that would change its name to ‘Truth or Consequences.’

With nearly 20 million views nationwide, it would have meant massive publicity for the winning town. Hot Springs, New Mexico was chosen among the few that applied.

The Town Held a Special Election for It

Hot Springs held a vote about changing its name just before the show’s anniversary episode. 1,294 residents voted for the change, while 295 voted against it.

The town officially became Truth or Consequences on March 31, 1950, and Edwards did his show there the next day.

Since this happened on April Fool’s Day, many viewers thought it was a joke. Edwards had to tell his audience that yes, a town really did rename itself ‘Truth or Consequences.’

Ralph Edwards Became a Beloved Figure for the Town

T or C stuck with its new name largely because of Ralph Edwards himself. He kept coming back to visit every year for 50 years, just as he said he would.

His visits brought more attention to T or C, as he often brought famous people like Jayne Mansfield, Richard Dawson, and Jamie Farr. The town showed its thanks by naming its downtown park and civic center after him, pictured above.

The Annual Fiesta Celebration is Still Going Strong

The fiesta usually includes a rodeo, live music, parades, participation by the Hatch Chile Queen, and a kids’ fishing derby. It’s held every year at Ralph Edwards Park, and you can check the schedule from T or C’s official website.

The Hot Springs at T or C are Incredibly Relaxing

The mineral hot springs stay at a cozy 98°F to 116°F. Five bathhouses use free-flowing springs, while others rely on wells. One of the most popular is the 90-year old La Paloma which features 13 natural gravel-bottom pools.

There’s a Museum Honoring a Great Apache Leader

Geronimo was a prominent Apache leader and warrior who lived from approximately 1829 to 1909.

The Geronimo Springs Museum in T or C is named after a hot springs site known as ‘Geronimo’s Spring,’ which eventually became the location of the first built bathhouse in the area.

The Geronimo Springs Museum now honors this history. A life-sized wax Geronimo stands in the Apache room, with Apache artifacts, photos, and historical records surrounding him.

It’s Near One of the Best Spots for Anglers in New Mexico

Five miles north of T or C sits Elephant Butte Lake where you can boat, swim, fish, hunt, and hike year-round along its 43-mile stretch of trails and beaches.

It’s a fantastic place to experience the beautiful New Mexico outdoors when you’re in town. Fishing is particularly great at Elephant Butte. Anglers catch record-breaking black, white, and striped bass, plus crappie and bluegill here.

The Gateway to Space’ Has a Visitor Center in the Town

Spaceport America, aka The Gateway to Space, is the world’s first launch site for space tourism. One of its visitor centers is in Truth or Consequences, at the Geronimo Trail Visitor Center.

One of the main companies at the spaceport is Virgin Galactic, which plans to take tourists on trips to space.

NM’s Best Bird Watching Spot is Near T or C

Caballo Lake State Park, 16 miles south of Truth or Consequences, is one of the best spots in New Mexico for birdwatching. Ducks, shorebirds and kingfishers stick to the river; songbirds, hawks, owls and woodpeckers live in the bosque; and sparrows stay in scrub and mesquite areas.

Check the woods north of the fee station and the canal. You can reach these spots through the park gate road or by crossing the canal bridge. During migration season, these small woods fill with flycatchers, woodpeckers and many warblers.

Experience T or C’s Popular Art Hop

If you’re ever in T or C, make sure to join the Art Hop. It runs every second Saturday of every month from 6-9 PM, and features live music, performances, and food vendors from T or C locals.