Driving east toward Lincoln County, New Mexico, Hwy 380 into the Valley of Fires, the Carrizozo Lava Flow – the dark area running the through the middle of the picture. Sierra Blanca in the background. (Click picture to enlarge.)
Have you seen the 1988 movie “Young Guns”, a movie about Billy the Kid and the Regulators? If so, then you are already somewhat familiar with Lincoln County, New Mexico. One might say that it was in Lincoln County or more specifically, the town of Lincoln, where William H. Bonney became the infamous Billy The Kid. In 1878 Billy’s boss, John Tunstall, a local merchant, was killed in cold blood because he was competition for economic control of the area. It was this killing that is said to have started the Lincoln County War, a war between businessmen, ranchers, law enforcement, and regulators that lasted until 1881. The picture on the left is the only known picture ever taken of Billy the Kid.
NOTE: To learn more about the people, places, and events introduced in this post, click on the links provided and click on the pictures to enlarge.
Recently, Bobby and I spent a few days along the Billy The Kid Trail (U.S. Hwy 70) in the Hondo Valley of Lincoln county. During this trip we not only learned a lot about the Lincoln County War, but we spent time exploring a part of the state that normally we just drive through on the way to somewhere else. It was one of those trips where we stopped to smell the roses.
Our base camp was a lovely adobe cottage down by the Rio Ruidoso in San Patricio, a small community known for being a hideout for Billy the Kid and the regulators. It is also known for being the home of Peter Hurd, a renowned artist. His son and artist, Michael Hurd owns the Hurd La Rinconada Gallery and Guest Homes where you can see many of their paintings and drawings, and works by other talented family members. The cottage that we stayed in, the Orchard House, is one of the guest homes.
Surrounded by elms and cottonwoods, and located a short distance from the Rio Ruidoso makes the Orchard House the perfect habitat for a variety of birds. We spent our mornings and evenings enjoying the pastoral view from the patio, looking toward the bosque of the Rio Ruidoso, and enjoying the music of the birds. A very peaceful and relaxing way to start and end the day.
Museums of Lincoln, New Mexico
During the day, we went sightseeing. Our first visit was to Lincoln, a small community whose livelihood revolves around the Lincoln County War and those involved. Many of the original buildings of Lincoln have been well preserved and some, turned into small museums.
The Tunstall Store Museum is the actual store constructed by John Tunstall (right) in 1877. The store housed the Lincoln County Bank, some law offices and Tunstall’s living quarter (seen below). It was this store, along with some of his other business activities, that was seen as unwanted competition and what eventually led to his murder. At the time of his murder, John Tunstall was only 24 years old.
Below are some of pictures from inside the store and items that one might have purchased. The counters, the floors, and the primary structure are of the original store. In the aisles, floor boards have been covered with plywood to protect them; however, you can see the original floors to the left of the plywood Many of the display items are part of the museum’s collection from various sources.
John Tunstall’s Living Quarters at the back of the store
Below are other items on display in the Lincoln’s museums.
Stagecoach – I spent a lot of time taking a good look at this stagecoach just thinking about how painfully uncomfortable a ride would have been.
U.S. Mail Cart – In 1890, 65% of American’s population lived in rural areas and had to come into the closest “town” to get their mail. Urban areas had free mail delivery as we still have today. In 1892 legislation was introduced to extend free mail service to rural areas. This legislation eventually passed but it wasn’t until October, 1896, that rural America started receiving free mail delivery. This mail cart was one of the first carts used by the postal service for RFD (rural free delivery).
The Old Lincoln Church. This church is no longer used nor is it open to the public, but it still maintains its presence in the center of Lincoln.
If you enjoy western US history, the Lincoln Historic Site is well worth visiting. It’s like a 1880 town frozen in time. There are “17 structures and outbuildings, 7 of which are open year round and 2 more seasonally as museums. Most of the buildings in the community are representative of the Territorial Style of adobe architecture in the American Southwest“.
Hondo Iris Farm and Gallery
One morning we made a short drive down the road to the Hondo Iris Farm and Gallery. We were a little late for the peak bloom, but there were still plenty of blooms to enjoy a nice morning stroll through the gardens.
The farm harvests the bulbs, divides and replants in pots for sale to its guests. Before leaving, we picked a couple of our favorites to plant in our own garden, one being this beautiful iris called “In Living Color”.
Fort Stanton
Other sightseeing jaunts were to the Hurd Gallery, Fort Stanton Historic Site, and the Fort Stanton Merchant Marine & Military Cemetery. Fort Stanton was established in 1855, then in 1899 converted into a Marine Hospital for people suffering from consumption (aka tuberculosis). Many of the original buildings still exist as well as the stables and corrals. What I found the most interesting on this tour were the numerous old photographs. Below are just a few of my favorites as well as a photo of the cemetery. The first picture is my favorite. (Click to enlarge)
Buffalo Soldiers in Camp
Tuberculosis Patients and Hospital Staff
Fort Stanton Merchant Marine & Military Cemetery
After all of this touring and sightseeing, we felt we deserved an afternoon cocktail. So one afternoon we stopped in at the recently opened Glencoe Distillery. We were treated to more than just an afternoon cocktail, so much more that I’m saving this story and a cocktail for another post. Stay tuned! (undate Nov 2021 – This distillery is permanently closed as a result of the Covid pandemic.)
Hope you enjoyed this short trip down the Billy the Kid Trail in Lincoln County, New Mexico.
Just in case you missed some of my previous travel New Mexico posts…
Enjoyed the post, just spent a day exploring the town, the museums, the general store was great!! the guy manning the store, tour guide, lover of history was very informative, made it so real, I want to go back
Oh YAY! Isn’t Lincoln a fun little town? Like you, I do enjoy having a tour guide with a true interest in the history. Thanks for leaving a comment and letting me know about your trip.
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Thanks for this interesting post, MJ. I love seeing old photographs, especially with people in them. I’v enever been to NM, but hope to change that some day!
You are most welcome Amy! Hope you do manage to get to New Mexico some day. It’s an amazing state. Lots of different cultures and histories and great food!
Fascinating post, dear MJ, though I’m particularly looking forward to reading about this cocktails & distillery adventure, haha!
Thanks Darlin! The cocktail is coming soon. š
Really interesting to read. And I love old photographs, I could spend hours trying to decipher the faces of people long gone.
I’m with you Adina. Just looking at the faces, the posture, the stance, the clothes – it’s all very interesting. Glad you enjoyed this.
You always take the coolest road trips in the most picturesque locations. The Orchard House looks like the ideal spot to relax and take in the peaceful, unspoiled views and I’m also struck by the Old Lincoln Church – it really does have a style and presence. You’ve piqued my curiosity about the distillery! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures (and the cocktail). ps: sharing this post with my son who enjoys US history.
Thanks Kelly! I think Bobby was a travel agent in his previous life. He puts such great vacation together. I just get to enjoy without having to do all the planning. š If your son likes US history, then there are a lot places in NM he would love. Hope he enjoys the post.
what an interesting post MJ, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never been to New Mexico but my husband has.
Thank you Karen. Hopefully you are able to find your way here one day. It’s a beautiful state.
I just love New Mexico~ Always so many places yet to see. Thank you for sharing. Our visit to Taos and Abiquiu was wonderful. WOuld do it again in a flash!
Thanks Abbe. We’ve talked about going back to Abiquiu during the winter and just hanging out. It’s so beautiful up there and Taos is too, but I love the tranquilly of the Abiquiu area.
This looks like an amazing trip – thank you so much for taking me on this journey with you through all your fabulous pictures. Just realised that I have not watched ‘Young Guns’ – definitely on my list of movies to watch now š
Thanks Mariam. New Mexico is quite a bit different than your area, so I’m thrilled to have been able to share part of our enchanting state. If you like westerns, you’ll love Young Guns. š
What an exciting post, great info too! I love these kind of trips and this one looks amazing. Thanks MJ, Happy 4th!
Thanks so much Minnie! Hope you are enjoying a nice long weekend.
We loved exploring NM this spring, but there’s obviously a whole lot more to see!! Thanks for sharing and enjoy the holiday! xo
Thanks Liz! Yep, I’m still exploring new areas after having lived here more than 40 years. š Happy 4th!
What a fabulous trip full of history. I have never been to New Mexico but I did see the movie Young Guns lol. Love the iris farm and would so stop at the distillery.
Thanks Evelyne! It was funny that after this trip I had to re-watch Young Guns. š
Oh MJ, how I miss New Mexico! We saw so much of the state in our 22 years, but we missed a lot of this… We did make it to Fort Stanton on one of our camping trips to Carrizozo and Valley of Fires State Park. Great post!
Thanks Tamara! I can imagine how much you miss it here. When we travel out of NM, I always look forward to going home. š
How great that after, what, 40 years living in New Mexico, you are still finding fun and interesting places to discover and explore.
Yep, it’s amazing that we still are finding places to explore. š We’ve spent a lot of time in northern NM, but not much in the southern part. It’s warmer and lower in elevation, so I’m loving it. š Thanks!
You know I love traveling vicariously with you on your jaunts around NM. Cannot wait to hear about the distillery. Great post. You are a true NM ambassador.
Thank you Debra! I’m so glad you enjoy my NM travels. It’s a beautiful state.
Thanks for taking the time to post all of these photos – I know that’s very time consuming. It looks like we drive right through that area when we drive to Tucson. I appreciate knowing some of the side trips we could take. I really look forward to the Distillery post.
Was most happy to share. We too have driven through this area for years, but have never stopped. I’m so glad we finally made the time to explore. It was fum. Thanks for coming by!
Thank you for sharing this fun excursion with us. Loving those set of wheels for distributing the mail.
You are welcome Bobbi! the mail cart was pretty impressive as was the stagecoach. My butt got tired just looking at the bench on the inside. š
Such an interesting post MJ – I live close to Chadds Ford – and the Wyeth Museums and visit often – – putting the Hurd Gallery and Guest homes on my bucket list!!!! Thanks!!
Thanks so much Leslie! My husband and I love art museums and have been expanding out into more historical museums – different and very educational. Hope you can make it sometimes.
Thanks for the fun and interesting tour, MJ. Looks like that you have thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Have a wonderful day!
You are most welcome Angie! I’m sure it is quite different from where you live.
What a fun post! Learned a bunch I didn’t know. Sounds like you had a fascinating trip. Loved the pictures, too! Thanks.
Thanks John! Glad to have taught you something. We learned a lot too. It was a great trip!