Henry McCarty is a rather unassuming name for a figure who left an indelible mark on the Old West. His nickname—Billy the Kid—still echoes across New Mexico’s mesas, valleys, and high plains, standing above all other outlaws of his time.
Billy’s Formative Years
Details are vague about Henry's early life. Though, most historians believe he was born in New York City sometime in 1859. He and his older brother Joe moved with their mother Catherine to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1865. There, she met a younger man who eventually became the boys' stepfather. The four moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1870; then possibly to Denver, Colorado; and then to Santa Fe, New Mexico where the couple married in 1873. Eventually, the family settled down in Silver City, New Mexico and lived in a modest cabin on Main Street.
From what experts have gathered, Henry was a bright and literate boy who loved reading and singing. However, after his mother died of tuberculosis in 1874, the family began to fall apart. Separated from his brother and placed in foster homes, Henry worked in a butcher shop and in a hotel where he washed dishes and waited tables. Eventually, he ran afoul of the law and was arrested for theft in 1875. While in jail, Henry managed to escape and fled to Arizona. Two years later, after killing a blacksmith, he returned to New Mexico, where he took to stealing horses full-time. From then on, Henry carried the alias "Kid."
Visiting Billy the Kid Country Today
Many of the key locations in Billy the Kid's story can be visited today. The historic town of Mesilla, where the Kid was tried and convicted of murder, features a preserved plaza that looks much as it did in his time. Visitors can dine at the historic La Posta Restaurant, housed in an 1840s building that witnessed much of the area's dramatic history. The Lincoln Historic Site in New Mexico (worth visiting during Old Lincoln Days in August), preserves the Lincoln County Courthouse from which Billy the Kid made his famous escape. The park includes multiple museums, the Tunstall Store, and offers guided walking tours.
Billy’s Demeanor
Billy the Kid was lean and athletic, standing around 5’8” and weighing about 140 pounds. He avoided drinking and smoking but loved singing, dancing, and gambling. Skilled at cards, he used sleight of hand while dealing Monte. Charismatic and fluent in Spanish, he easily bonded with locals, especially señoritas. Beneath his friendly demeanor, though, was a quick temper that often led to bold criminal acts.
Contrary to popular folklore of the Old West, Billy the Kid never killed 21 men. He was solely responsible for the deaths of just four men, two of them his jailhouse guards, and helped dispatch five others. At Old Fort Sumner on July 14, 1881 the young fugitive ran out of luck — tracked down and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett. It was only a year before, in December of 1880, when Henry was dubbed as "Billy, the Kid" by the Las Vegas Gazette and had received a high degree of recognition in tabloids from near and far.
Planning Your Visit
For those wanting to explore Billy the Kid country, consider staying in key locations like Ruidoso (the charming Sitzmark Chalet Inn makes a good base) or Albuquerque (the Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport offers convenient access).
The Billy the Kid Scenic Byway Visitor Center provides excellent orientation materials. Don't miss Fort Sumner, where Billy met his end and where his grave can be visited today. White Sands National Monument (the largest gypsum dune field in the world) and Fort Stanton offer additional historical context to the Kid's story while showcasing the dramatic New Mexico landscape he knew so well.
Expert Guidance
To truly understand the Kid's story, consider joining guided tours led by historical experts. The landscape holds fascinating sites like the Pat Garrett murder site, Blazer's Mill (site of a famous shootout), and the lesser-known Puerto de Luna, where Billy had his last Christmas dinner at Grzelachowski's store. These locations come alive with the help of knowledgeable guides who can share the rich historical context and local legends.
Today, more than a century after his death, points of interest throughout New Mexico echo the stories of Billy the Kid. Retrace the hoof prints. See the wagon wheel impressions. Visit the ghost towns, walk where he walked, and travel through the annals of time along the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway! If you’re tracing the legends of the Old West — New Mexico’s once-lawless landscape holds the stories you’re looking for!
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