In 1581, Capitan Franciso Sanchez Chamuscado took possession of this region for the King of Spain, naming it Ojo de Zoquete in the province of San Felipe. Native Americans first used these springs for healing. In the early 20th century, European-Americans settled here and named it Hot Springs. The community took its present name, Truth or Consequences, in 1951 in response to a contest from Ralph Edwards' popular radio program.