Deming was an important port of entry on the US-Mexico border until the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. It was founded in 1881 and served as a prominent railroad town when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad completed its junction with the Southern Pacific at Deming. The town was given the nickname "New Chicago" out of anticipation of growth that would take place due to the surge of railroad usage (i.e. it was thought the town would resemble Chicago, Illinois). Deming, named after Mary Deming Crocker (the wife of railroad magnate Charles Crocker), was officially incorporated in 1902.
Deming maintains a variety of attractions including: