TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

byname T Or C, formerly (until 1950) Hot Springs, city, seat (1937) of Sierra county, southwestern New Mexico, U.S. It lies along the Rio Grande, east of the Black Range in Gila National Forest, 60 miles (97 km) north-northwest of Las Cruces. The locality was first settled in the mid-19th century near the Springs of Palomas (Palomas Springs), which were later called Hot Springs. The community itself was subsequently named Hot Springs and attained a reputation as a mineral spa. It also became a service point for the surrounding stock-raising, mining, and farming area. Its present controversial place-name was adopted in 1950 when the city cooperated with radio (later television) personality Ralph Edwards, master of ceremonies of the quiz show called Truth or Consequences, in a promotion effort to hold a yearly program and fiesta there. The city lies between two state parksElephant Butte Lake (northeast) and Caballo Lake (south)and tourism, aided by the medicinal springs, is important. Pop. (1990) 6,221; (1994 est.) 6,285.