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Over the decades, the population
continued to decline to its current population of only about 75. However,
amazingly, many of its old buildings were preserved. Today, the old
settlement is officially referred to as the Lincoln State Monument and is
the most widely visited state monument in the state. The historic site
includes 17 structures and outbuildings, three of which are museums.
Representing the Territorial style of
adobe architecture historic buildings line both sides of
Lincoln's mile
long Main Street. The gurgling Rio Bonito River still forms the northern
boundary of the town that has not been marred with commercial gas stations
or convenience stores.
The main visitor’s center is located
near the east end of town on the north side of the highway exhibits the
role in Lincoln's history of Apaches, Hispanics, Anglo cowboys, Buffalo
Soldiers, and details the Lincoln County War. A brief video further
presents Lincoln's history in an old-fashioned theater.
Lincoln's highlight is the old Lincoln
County Courthouse on the west end of Main Street, which highlights
Billy the Kid's
escapades and his escape from the courthouse, complete with a famous
bullet hole made during his flight.
Other buildings which can be toured
include the Montaño Store, the 1887 La Iglesia de San Juan-Bautista
Mission, which still provides services for parishioners; Tunstall Museum
and post office, which
contains displays of original 19th-century merchandise in the original
shelving and cases.
More old buildings in the town include
Dolan’s old home, the defensive torreón (tower) for the village, and the
Wortley Hotel, once owned by Sheriff Pat Garrett. Here, was where Deputy
Ollinger had his last supper before
Billy the Kid shot him and Deputy J.W.
Bell down. The historic hotel now serves as an inn and restaurant. The
Juan Patron House has been converted into a bed-and-breakfast inn.
Old Lincoln Days, held on the first
full weekend in August, provides living-history demonstrations of
traditional crafts, musical programs, and food booths throughout the
village. An annual folk pageant, The Last Escape of
Billy the Kid,
presented outdoors since 1949, portrays a highly romanticized version of
the Lincoln County War during August weekends.
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