Silver City A-6
Here Billy briefly attended school. His family home was near the corner of Broadway and Main. Billy made his first jail escape here, and thus the explosive trail of American's Most Enduring Legend began. Billy's mother, Catherine Antrim, died of tuberculosis here in 1874 and is buried in Memory Lane Cemetery.
Seven Rivers E-5
The Heiskell Jones family operated a store here and befriended Billy prior to his entry into the Lincoln County War. The Regulators raided the Murphy-Dolan cattle camp near here in 1878. Seven rivers is now inundated by Brantley Dam waters. The old cemetery was removed to Twin Oaks Memorial Park, north of Artesia. Visit the museum while in Artesia.
San Patricio D-5
Established by Irish soldiers, mustered out of service in 1866. The Church of Saint Patrick was erected in the 1870's. The Kid rode from Seven Rivers to the ranch of Frank Coe, near here. He liked Frank and tried to avoid trouble. McSween and his supporters hid in the nearby hills after they were driven out of Lincoln in June, 1878.
Tunstall Ranch-Rio Feliz D-5
A strong bond developed between Billy and his employer. John Tunstall. A well educated, wealthy Englishman, he was new to the way of life he found in the territory. A writ, on a drummed up charge, was served on Tunstall and 30 miles from his ranch, near Glencoe, a drunken posse ambushed and killed him. Billy saw the whole affair and vowed to avenge Tunstall's brutal death. See the historical marker on Highway 70 near Glencoe.
Dowlin's Mill: in Ruidoso D-5
Like today, this was a well known landmark in the late 1800's Billy escaped dertain death here by hiding in a flour barrell as two revenge minded gunmen attempted to avenge the death of their friend that Billy had killed. Capitan Paul Dowlin was not so lucky, however, because he was killed here in 1877 , by one of his former employees , Jerry Dillon. The quaint old water wheel stands stately, in rememberence of the past. See historical marker in Ruidoso.
Lincoln: D-4
The focal point of the famous Lincoln County War. Also the site of Billy's last escape from jail leaving deputies Bell and Olinger dead. This village is relatively untouched by time and is a historic district with several museums and monuments.
White Oaks: D-4
White Oaks, was once a bustling mining town of 2500 people during the Lincoln County War. Billy rode in to WHite Oaks ocassionaly and a White Oaks posse followed and surrounded him and his gang at Greathouse stage-station north of here. Sheriff Garrett came here for lumber to buil gallows to hang Billy.
Fort Stanton: D-4
The hub of military-civilian activity in the Lincoln County War. At one time or another practically everyone involved in the troubles spent some time in it's guardhouse. The Kid testified here in Col. Nathan Dudley's court of inquiry. Under questionable conditions troops from here entered the Lincoln County War and tilted the odds on favor of the Murphy-Dolan faction witch led to the death of McSween.
Blazer's Mill: near Mescalero D-5
Site of a furious gun battle between the Regulators and Buckshot Roberts in April 1878. Roberts was killed and Billy was the only one charged with the killing. The graves of the two killed, Roberts and Dick Brewer are near the Mescalero Apache Village. See the historical marker nearby.
Chisum Ranch: near Roswell E-5
Cattle baron John Chisum made his headquarters here. His niece Sallie was a friend of Billy's. The ranch headquarters was a meetig place for both factions in the Lincoln County War. Visit the Chaves County Historical Museum in Roswell.
Los Portales Springs: F-4
A favorite hideout for Billy and his gang. The old military road passe through here from Colorado City, Texas to Old Fort Sumner. It is said that Billy once considered operating a way station here but events found him here for other reasons. See the historical marker on Highway 70 northeast of Portales.
Old Military Road, "The Portales Road" F-4
The old Comanche, military road, and cattle trail from Colorado City, Texas to Old Fort Sumner. Canada del Tule (the Tullies) is some 40 miles east of Old Fort Sumner. Billy used this road and often stopped here for fresh water. Today it is the site for the N.M. Boys Ranch's Hart Youth Ranch,some 10 miles south of Melrose. The old ranc house was built of timbers taken from pete Maxwell's home where Billy met his death at the hands of Pat Garrett. Site is open to the public.
Greathouse Stage-Station: Corona D-4
Jim Greathouse, early in the 1880, purchased a ranch and established a stage station 40 miles north of White Oaks. There, Billy and his gang were besieged by a posse. In an attempt to negotiate the surrender of the gang, deputy Carlyle was caught in the crossfire and killed. In retaliation, a mob burned the station down. Carlyle buried here on private property. See historical marker south of Corona.
Stinking Springs: near Taiban F-3
In December 1880, Billy the Kid, Dave Rudabough, Billy Wilson, Charlie Bowdre, and Tom Pickett, stopped at the abandoned rock house. Pat Garrett and posse tracked the gang here before morning, split up and surrounded the house. At day break, Bowdre stepped out and was killed. Billy tried to pull a horse inside but Garrett shot it and the horse fell dead in the door, eliminating any further attempt to escape. Freezing bodies and craving stomaches overcame brave hearts, so Billy and the gang surrendered. They were fed and taken to Old Fort Sumner, where they were bound and shackled and taken to Las Vegas. Near the historical marker east of Tabian on Highway 60-84 is the first headquarters of the Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang, Inc.
Puerto de Luna: near Santa Rosa E-3
Alexander Grzelachowski set up mercantile bussiness and became alcalde, postmaster, wool buyer and rancher. He told his clerks to understand that Billy the Kid was not to be denied ammunition and supplies whenever he wanted them. Pat Garrett went there often, in hopes of trapping Billy and his gang. Billy ate his last Christmas dinner here after surrender at Stinking Springs. Puerto became the county seat, but was short lived, as the railroad bypassed and Santa Rosa was born. The church, "Our Lady of Refuge", is fascinating with it's quasi-Byzantine dome and it's moorish shaped windows showing the French Padre influence.
