Lincoln, NM (Santa Fe, Ruidoso, Capitan: homes, camping, place to live)

[jaxart]

I've not yet seen a thread in this forum about the small community of Lincoln and it's history. Lincoln remains much the same as it looked in the 1880s when Billy the Kid put it on the map for posterity. The entire community is now a designated National Historic Site and well worth a visit for anyone who happens to be in the area. I'm told that many people traveling I-25 detour out of their way just to visit the town - or the nearby Smokey Bear museum in Capitan.

Here is an interesting article in today's Santa Fe New Mexican online news about a Lincoln historian who knows his facts concerning Lincoln and the Lincoln County War and other "western" bad men stories.

DREW GOMBER - WESTERN HISTORIAN (http://tinyurl.com/nfdmlp - broken link)

PS Lincoln is located in Lincoln County in the south central mountains of the state, a few miles west of the intersection of US-380 and US-70.

[catman]

Lincoln is an interesting place in a beautiful area. I like it very much, and it surprises me that it hasn't grown more than it has. Perhaps its size is restricted.

[repowell67]

We stopped in Lincoln last month while vacationing in the Sacramento Mountains/Ruidoso area. I was there with my husband and three boys and we didn't really get to spend near enough time there, but still had fun nonetheless! Next time we're in the area, we will go back to finish looking at all the fascinating shops, historical homes/structures, and museum. Unfortunately, we missed "Old Lincoln Days" by one weekend. Looked to be a really fun annual event--I think it's the second full weekend in August every year, but don't quote me on that.

Of particular interest to my boys, was the defensive structure, called a torreon, used by the settlers when relations between themselves and the Apaches went down the toilet. Neat place.

[RamblinRoseRanch]

I love Lincoln. If we didn't have to work, i'd live there :0)

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by catman

Lincoln is an interesting place in a beautiful area. I like it very much, and it surprises me that it hasn't grown more than it has. Perhaps its size is restricted.

Don't quote me, but from what I've heard about National Historic Sites I don't think people who own their properties within its boundaries can even renovate their structures without approval of whoever oversees such things for historical accuracy. So yes, by that token growth within the boundary is necessarily restricted. But there has been a significant amount of development in the immediate valley - including some nice orchards and "u-pick-it" farms selling specialties such as berries and lavender.

Here's a web reference to the Lincoln State Monument page:

LINCOLN STATE MONUMENT

[catman]

Yes, the "community frozen in time - the 1870s and 1880s" line makes it sound as though the authorities restrict property owners rather severely. Perhaps not a very practical place to live unless one is willing to live more or less as done in the 1870s - 80s.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by catman

Perhaps not a very practical place to live unless one is willing to live more or less as done in the 1870s - 80s.

I've been inside several of the privately owned homes, galleries and other businesses in Lincoln and can vouch for the interiors being very contemporary. So perhaps it's only the exterior appearance, and possible restrictions on external add-ons that is regulated. I'm simply not sure. There is probably information on this somewhere on the internet, but it's a side issue to the main thrust of this thread.

Drew Gomber points out (in the referenced article) that Billy the Kid was a minor actor in the events surrounding the Lincoln County War era. And there is as much myth about him that there is recorded fact. The controversy seems endless considering recent efforts to have his mother's body exhumed for DNA testing, and other nonsense intended to prove or disprove those myths.

[hogfarmer]

Thanks Jaxart for starting this tread. I'm obviously biased here, but agree Lincoln is one of the most facinating places in the state. You can't beat the B the K drive especially as fall starts to set in. And best of all, like other museums in the state, Lincoln if free on Sundays to NM residents-just be sure to bring your license! You have to eat at the Wortley which is not only full of history, but a great place for dinner-with some fantastic local wines.

For those of us who can't get enough of the legends, one of the best sources for fact vs. fiction is:

About Billy the Kid

Marcelle did a wonderful job pulling this all together.

Drew also does a fantastic job following the legends and I really enjoy his weekly column and continuing sagas:

http://www.ruidosonews.com/ruidoso-v...ns/ci_13255134

We are so lucky to live in such a richly historical area.

[Rogarven]

We used to stay at the Casa de Patron B and B in Lincoln several years ago. The Jordan's ran it. It was delightful. So peaceful and colorful during the Fall.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by hogfarmer

You can't beat the B the K drive especially as fall starts to set in.

Are you referring to the cattle drive that is sometimes sponsored by one of the ranchers in that area - or the horse and camping ride that takes several days and retraces the presumed route of Billy the Kid from Ft. Sumner to Lincoln? Or some other "B the K" drive?

Both of the former are of interest and readers might wish to know more about them, and I'm not conversant about either other than what I've read about them. Would have enjoyed either event when I was MUCH younger.