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The most important building at the Lincoln Historic Site in New Mexico is the Old Lincoln County Courthouse. It sits at the west end of town.
History
The Old Lincoln County Courthouse was originally built between 1873 and 1874 by Jimmy Dolan (1848-1898) and Lawrence Murphy (1831-1878), the owners of L. G. Murphy & Company. The building was known as the Big House and served as a general store for six years. It has also functioned as a Masonic lodge, bar, billiard room, sheriff’s office, jail, living quarters, courthouse, city and county offices, and school.
The county purchased the building in 1880 after Murphy went bankrupt and converted it into the Lincoln County Courthouse in 1881. Shortly after, Billy the Kid (1859-1881) made his legendary escape from there on April 28, 1881.
The building served as the courthouse until the county seat moved to Carrizozo in 1913. It was then used as a school for several years until the State of New Mexico acquired it in 1938, restored it, and reopened it as a museum in July 1939.
Exhibits
The Old Lincoln County Courthouse features exhibits highlighting the building’s use as a store, residence, Masonic lodge, courthouse, and jail, with the focus being on Billy the Kid’s escape. Some of the artifacts on display include an original stagecoach that ran through New Mexico from 1889 to 1912 as well as antique post office boxes.
Exhibits about Billy the Kid begin with a large photo and correspondence between Billy and Governor Lew Wallace (1827-1905). Also on display is the tombstone from Billy the Kid’s mother’s grave in Silver City, New Mexico.
On the lower floor is a recreation of the room used as the Masonic lodge. Interpretive panels explain the meaning behind some of the items in the room.
Courthouse
On the second floor is the courthouse, which is organized how it would have looked in the late 19th century. The courthouse was originally four rooms that were used by Lawrence Murphy and other employees as living quarters. After the county purchased the building, Sheriff Pat Garrett (1850-1908) and later sheriffs used some of the rooms as offices and living quarters.
The corner of the room in which Billy the Kid was being held before his escape is indicated by a white line on the floor. Other prisoners were held in another room across the hall.
The Escape
On April 28, 1881, US Marshall Bob Olinger (1850-1881) was having dinner across the street from the Old Lincoln County Courthouse with five prisoners at the Wortley Hotel. Deputy James Bell was alone with Billy the Kid, who asked to use the outhouse behind the building.
While returning to the building, Billy hid around a blind corner, slipped out of his handcuffs, and beat Bell with the loose end of the cuffs. He then grabbed Bell’s revolver and shot him in the back as Bell tried to get away. However, Pat Garrett stated that Billy broke into the armory to obtain the pistol that he used to shoot Bell.
Upon hearing the shots, Olinger ran back to the courthouse from the hotel. Billy the Kid was waiting at a window upstairs with a loaded shotgun. He shouted “Look up, old boy, and see what you get.” Olinger looked up and Billy shot and killed him. He then was able to break free of his leg shackles with a prospector’s pick or an axe, steal a horse, and ride west out of town.
The spots where Bell and Olinger died are marked on the ground outside. There’s also a bullet hole inside the building believed to have been created by Billy’s six-shooter during his escape.
