In the early 1900s, Ira J. Stockwell and his wife, Lucille, arrived in Carlsbad. Riding a sidecar-equipped Indian motorcycle, they travelled all the way from Kansas. Ira proceeded to pioneer several ‘firsts’ for Carlsbad. Stockwell opened the first service station and auto parts store in Southeastern New Mexico, as well as being the first automobile dealer in Carlsbad, selling Buicks and

 Dodge Brothers cars. He joined the volunteer fire department, and was instrumental in the purchase of Carlsbad’s first fire pumper as a City Council member in 1928. In 1930 he was appointed as Carlsbad’s first paid Fire Chief, a position he served in until 1960. Stockwell was also one of the original founders of the Carlsbad Rotary Club.  In 1914, he took the first photographs in the Carlsbad Caverns when Jim White escorted him and others into the depths of the Caverns. These photos are now in the archives of the National Park Service.

Ira served as a City Councilman from 1924 to 1930. During World War II, he served as the Administrator of all departments in the City, except the Police Department. During that same time, he was also the Director of the Civil Defense Program and a member of the Carlsbad Battery of the New Mexico State Guard. Never afraid of work or to help out, he was also the relief mail carrier driving the mail to Queen New Mexico in a Model T, mostly over nonexistent roads. 

 While serving as Fire Chief and Superintendent of city departments, he created the island at the Carlsbad Beach and almost singlehandedly built the original Boy Scout Aquatic Camp. For his efforts to help the scouting program Stockwell received the Silver Beaver award from the Conquistador Council of the Boy Scouts of America, where he also served on the Board of Directors. Many former school children remember him for his visits to the schools with the Carlsbad Fire Departments mascots Smokey and Sparky, two of Carlsbad’s most beloved canines. The story is still being told how in retirement Ira and the dogs would personally deliver City checks around town. Ira also loved working with wood. He turned beautiful gavels on his lathe and presented many of them to presidents of civic clubs and courts. A park on 1st street is now called the Ira J. Stockwell Park in memory of his long and dedicated service to the City of Carlsbad.