Capitan and Lincoln NM July 12

Weekend in Ruidoso with family, Cedar Creek Lodge...









Persuaded Donovan to explore Capitan and Lincoln with Kasey  and us on Saturday...

Smokey Bear Museum in Capitan was our first stop. Smokey was rescued after the Capitan Gap Fire in May 1950. He spent the next 26 years as the living symbol for the Forest Fire Prevention Campaign of the US Forest Service. His body was returned to Capitan after his death. 

The garden where Smokey is interred is a living natural history museum with the different biomes of the area represented. 

Just down the road is Lincoln NM. The entire village is a National Historic Landmark Site. 

Lincoln County was the largest county in the United States covering 1/4 of the state when created in 1869. 

Current Hwy 380, the main street through Lincoln, was designated by President Hayes as "the most dangerous street in America" during the Lincoln County War. 

Originally named Las Placitas del Rio Bonito when settled in 1850 for the Bonito River running along the north side of town. The name was changed to Lincoln when the county was created. 

We enjoyed the Museum and visitor center on the east end of town before walking the wooden sidewalks to explore Tunstall's Store, 

San Juan Mission

constructed in 1887 and still used for services today. 

The Torreon was constructed in 1850's to protect residents from Indian attack.  

Many other buildings 

as the Dolan House, played a role in the Lincoln County War, but are not open to the public as a part of the historic site. 

We finished our tour at the old Court House, originally the Murphy-Dolan store. Also the jail where Billy the Kid was held awaiting his hanging after being convicted in Mesilla of the murder of Sheriff Brady in retaliation for the murder of Tunstall. After convincing Deputy Bell to take him to the outhouse, he overpowered the deputy and shot him on the stairs inside. When Deputy Ollinger ran across the street from the hotel where he had taken other prisoners for a meal, Billy shot him from a second floor window with his own shotgun. 

Donovan next to the photo of Billy the Kid in the old court house. The bullet holes visible in the wall in the right corner are from the shooting of Deputy Bell.