How a Game Show Transformed Made This New Mexico City Iconic

If you've traveled through Southern New Mexico, there's a good chance you've driven through the town of Truth or Consequences. The town is home to less than 6 thousand people & is mostly known for its vibrant art murals & its hot springs, which is actually where the town got its original name, Hot Springs.

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So why did Truth or Consequences, New Mexico change its name?

Well it was because of a 1950s NBC game show that was called...Truth or Consequences.

Yup the tv game show was hosted by Bob Barker, before he would host The Price is Right. But before it became a game show, it was a radio show hosted by Ralph Edwards that would BECOME a tv show. It was Ralph that was responsible for the town of Hot Springs to change its name to Truth or Consequences.

In March 1950, a decade after the show premiered, Ralph held a contest where he dared any town of America to change their name to "Truth or Consequences". Hot Springs took the challenge and they did. Ever since, Hot Springs would forever be called Truth or Consequences.

Ralph would even be present for the town's name change & has forever become a part of the town's history. There are photos of Ralph during his time of visiting the town inside the Geronimo Springs Museum, the Civic Center has the Ralph Edwards Auditorium & the town even named a park after Ralph Edwards, fittingly called, Ralph Edwards Park.

If you want to read about another story relating to Truth or Consequences, you can read about how the town may have inspired the creation of Courage the Cowardly Dog here.