Lincoln Historic Site | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Lincoln Historic Site

The most widely visited state historic site in New Mexico

Lincoln has not changed much since the Lincoln County War and a host of characters, including Billy the Kid, launched this town into the history books. President Rutherford B. Hayes called Lincoln “The Most Dangerous Street in America.” Here is a tale fueled by ambition, greed, corruption, violence, and the uncanny ability of William H. Bonney to escape from jail. Billy the Kid remains an enigma as he continues to elude his modern pursuers — historians.

Lincoln, a town preserved as it was in 1880, offers visitors plenty to explore, from the Lincoln County Courthouse and the “Convento,” which was the first courthouse, to the Tunstall Mercantile, with original merchandise. Go inside the San Juan chapel, a frontier church, or cross the street to see the Torreón, a rock defensive tower which was the first structure constructed in the village.

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From Indian treasures to space exploration, world-class folk art to awesome dinosaurs—our museums and monuments celebrate the essence of New Mexico every day.
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Encounter Culture

Take a look inside the museums and historic sites of New Mexico without leaving home. Join host Charlotte Jusinski, and a variety of guest curators, artists, and exhibitors in exploring the art and culture of the state in Encounter Culture, a new podcast from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

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