This section highlights the key locations in Billy the Kid’s life.
Key Locations
- New York, Indiana, Missouri, or Buffalo Gap, Texas – Possible birthplaces of Billy the Kid. See Video
- Wichita, Kansas – Billy spent part of his childhood here. See Video
- Santa Fe, New Mexico – His mother, Catherine, married William Antrim here. Billy was also brought here after being captured at Stinking Springs. See Video
- Silver City, New Mexico – Catherine died here. Billy was arrested for stealing clothes and later escaped from jail. See Video
- Fort Grant, Arizona – Billy killed his first man, Frank Cahill, at this location.
- Seven Rivers area, New Mexico – His first stop in Lincoln County, where he worked on the Jones farm.
- Lincoln County, New Mexico – Billy rode with the Jessie Evans Gang, participated in the Lincoln County War, made allies, met Governor Lew Wallace, escaped from jail multiple times, and engaged in cattle rustling.
- Roswell, New Mexico – A frequent hideout for Billy and the Regulators at the Chisum ranch during the Lincoln County War. Later, Rustlers stole Chisum’s cattle here.
- Blazer’s Mills, New Mexico – Site of the infamous battle between Billy and the Regulators and Buckshot Roberts.
- San Patricio, New Mexico – A refuge for Billy and the Regulators, where they found shelter among local Hispanic friends during the Lincoln County War.
- Fort Sumner, New Mexico – Billy lived much of his life here after the Lincoln County War, killed Texas Joe Grant in a saloon, and was allegedly killed here.
- Anton Chico, New Mexico – A frequent stop where Billy sold stolen livestock.
- Puerto de Luna, New Mexico – Another of Billy’s hideouts and a place where he sold stolen cattle.
- Las Vegas, New Mexico – A gambling and hiding spot for Billy. He may have also met Jesse James here.
- Tascosa, Texas – The Regulators disbanded here, and later, Billy and the Rustlers stole and sold livestock.
- White Oaks, New Mexico – Billy and his gang stored stolen livestock at the Dedrick & West livery stable. He and Rustlers Dirty Dave Rudabaugh and Billy Wilson also killed Deputy James Carlyle nearby.
- Los Portales, New Mexico – Billy and Charlie Bowdre ran a ranch here where they kept stolen horses and cattle.
- Stinking Springs, New Mexico – Billy and the Rustlers were captured here by Sheriff-elect Pat Garrett and his posse.
- La Mesilla, New Mexico – The site of Billy’s trial and conviction for the murder of Sheriff William Brady.
- Hico, Texas – Where Billy allegedly died in late 1950.
Billy the Kid remains one of the most legendary figures of the American Old West, and the places he lived, fought, and hid out tell the story of his short but eventful life. From his possible birthplaces in New York, Indiana, Missouri, or Texas to his final days in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, each location holds a piece of his history. Whether he was escaping from jail in Silver City, fighting in the Lincoln County War, or gambling in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Billy left his mark across the Southwest.
This section of my site explores the key locations tied to Billy the Kid’s life, from the towns where he was raised to the spots where he became an outlaw. If you know of a location that should be added or have insights to share, feel free to email me—I’d love to hear from fellow enthusiasts of Western history!