Road Trip: Billy the Kid in Lincoln

The old Murphy-Dolan Store, which was built in 1874, later became the Lincoln County Courthouse. In 1881, Billy the Kid was being held prisoner there. He stole a gun, killed the guards and escaped. According to some versions, he made his departure even more spectacular by hanging around town for an hour or so chatting to acquaintances. Although you can't make out the sign in my photo, the Sheriff's Office is located upstairs.
So much has been written about Billy the Kid that I will leave you with some links to get started so that you can explore his life as much as you want.

About Billy the Kid includes little known facts, a biography, a filmography, maps, letters, interviews, a gallery of photos and art work, and more.

Billy the Kid, Quien Es? Great video from New Mexico Public Broadcasting, originally broadcast by KNME: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

The Lincoln County War is a well-documented account of what happened in Lincoln County during 1878-1879.

Road Trip: Old Lincoln, Part 2

Lincoln has been called "one of the last historic yet uncommercialized 19th century towns remaining in the American West."*



Exhibits in the Historical Center, which is run by Lincoln County Heritage Trust, exhibits "explain the role in Lincoln's history of Apaches, Hispanics, Anglo Cowboys, and the black Buffalo Soldiers, and detail the Lincoln County War."*

Note the sign and the rope on the gate (above). I liked the collision of old and new cultures.
Adobe building remains.
There is a self-guided walking tour booklet available at the Historical Center.

*All quotes in this post are from Frommer's Comprehensive Travel Guide: New Mexico, 3rd edition.

Road Trip: Old Lincoln, New Mexico

The town of Lincoln is in the Valley of the Rio Bonito near the Lincoln National Forest on Route 380. Situated at 5700 feet, it is a living community although its population is only about 150.
Most of the main street through the town of Lincoln, New Mexico is part of the Lincoln State Monument, and is sometimes said to consist of 1000 yards of museums. It shows a community as it was in the 1870's and 1880's, and includes 17 structures and outbuildings built mostly in the Territorial adobe architectural style.