Lincoln is a "living museum"- Although it has a couple of dozen "regular" residents, the entire town is considered a Historical Monument. Originally known as Las Placitas in the 1840s by the original settlers, it became one of the most famous places in New Mexico in the latter part of the 19th century.
Lincoln is a pretty sleepy town now, (except for the tourist traffic), but it had some of the wildest days in western history about a hundred and twenty years ago. "Billy the Kid" and his pals fought the LINCOLN COUNTY WAR against the Lawrence Murphy /J.J. Dolan / John Riley faction after the murder of Billy's boss John Tunstall.
Although the Lincoln County War is imagined by many to be a cattle war, it was really more of a "mercantile war"- When John Tunstall (an Englishman from a wealthy family who came to the USA to start a cattle ranch) And Alexander Macsween ( A lawyer, newly arrived in Lincoln) decided to branch out and open a store in Lincoln, the folks (Murphy / Dolan / Riley ) who owned the big store that was operating already took umbrage and decided to get rid of the competition the quick way.
Other famous names connected with Lincoln include Sheriff Pat Garrett, John Chisum, Lew Wallace (Governor of NM, and the author of Ben Hur), "Buckshot" Roberts, Charlie Bowdrie, and Susan MacSween Barber (Alex MacSween's widow who later remarried and became known as "the Cattle Queen of the West").
In late July / early August every year the town "celebrates" the days of yore with many activities, including a pageant / play re-enacting the "Last Escape of Billy the Kid".
CLICK
HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE
OR TO HAVE A FULL WEB SITE
Click on any photo to see larger view
The only known photograph of "Billy The Kid"
Courthouse / jail from which Billy escaped
One of the "private" museum/shops.
Tunstall / MacSween Store
Site of MacSween home
Old Dolan Home, Now a Bed & Breakfast Inn
Lincoln Heritage / Hubbard Museum 
Drew Gomber: Historian, Raconteur, Storyteller, Writer and
Curator of museum.
Site of Montano Store
Oldest Courthouse in Lincoln County
Old (and still operating) Church in Lincoln
The Torreon- (a "fort")
The Wortley Hotel. Currently a gourmet restaurant.