5 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Roswell, New Mexico

Stephanie DeFranco

Roswell, New Mexico, is a city that embraces quirkiness and leans into the mystique and weirdness that accompanies being the supposed site of an alleged UFO crash. But there is so much more to this place beyond alien culture, things that just might bring your view of Roswell a little more down to earth. 

Resident Artists 

Roswell has quite the flourishing arts scene, including the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, which puts on stellar performances for the whole community to enjoy. The Roswell Artist-in-Residence (RAiR) Program primarily serves visual artists, providing a select group of studio artists with a free place to live and work for an entire year. Without monetary restraints, these artists thrive in conditions that allow them to use their time entirely creatively, making works that are then exhibited at the Roswell Museum and Art Center.

Tonee Harbert, courtesy of Roswell Artist-in-Residence Foundation.

UFO Culture 

Roswell is well-known for being the backdrop of many UFO sightings over the years. It’s become a part of the city’s lore, perpetuated not just by rumors but also by real encounters reported by its residents. In 1994, this phenomenon was immortalized on the silver screen, thanks to a movie called “Roswell,” which depicts the alleged military capture of a flying saucer in 1947. 

Law and Order 

Did you know that the International Law Enforcement Academy and the New Mexico Military Institute are both located in Roswell? The former is one of five advanced training academies in the U.S. and provides vital education for those enforcing the law internationally. New Mexico Military Institute, on the other hand, is a public military junior college and high school and aims to educate its nearly 1,000 cadets to prepare them for successful military careers. 

World’s Fastest Motorsport 

Roswell will be the new host of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR), a 10-day event that will begin in September 2025. NCAR – billed as “The World’s Fastest Motorsport” – will attract thousands of participants and visitors from around the world to the city. Between the races, spectators will enjoy world-class military and civilian air show performers along with static displays of military and historical aircraft. 

Dairy Dynasty 

Roswell has a robust dairy industry, with more than four major dairies and creameries in the area. Most notable is the internationally acclaimed Leprino Foods, the world’s largest mozzarella manufacturer and a top producer of whey protein and dairy ingredients. Leprino employs over 600 people and processes over 6 million pounds of milk every single day at the Roswell facility, using local milk from nearby farmers. Roswell is also the headquarters of Dairy Producers of New Mexico, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the dairy industry throughout the state.