The history of Eddy County and the city now known as Carlsbad is closely tied to cattle ranching, irrigation development, transportation, and natural resource discoveries. In the mid-19th century, the Pecos Valley began to attract cattlemen due to its open land and access to water. In 1866, Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving drove large herds of cattle through the region and established cow camps at Seven Rivers and present-day Carlsbad. Soon after, rancher John Chisum expanded cattle operations in the Pecos Valley, bringing an estimated 100,000 head of cattle and firmly establishing the area as a major ranching center.

The region’s development accelerated in the 1880s with the arrival of Charles B. Eddy. Along with his brother John Eddy and partner Amos Bissell, he formed the Eddy-Bissell Cattle Company and established the Halagueno Ranch, which stretched from Seven Rivers to La Huerta. Recognizing the importance of irrigation, Eddy constructed the Halagueno diversion ditch from the Pecos River and later incorporated the Pecos Valley Land and Ditch Company. His goal was to attract settlers, particularly Europeans, by promoting the region’s fertile land, clean air, and sunny climate, supported by investments from a Swiss bank. Read More ...

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Eddy County Coordinator ... Donna Cain-Ruiz

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