Mesilla in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Billy the Kid

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2014

1. Billy the Kid Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This building, which dates from 1850, once housed the Capitol of Arizona and New Mexico. Later it was the Courthouse in which Billy The Kid was tried and sentenced to hang.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 32° 16.453′ N, 106° 47.7′ W. Marker is in Mesilla, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. Marker is at the intersection of Calle De Guadalupe and Calle De Parian, on the right when traveling north on Calle De Guadalupe. Marker is a large, painted metal plaque, mounted directly on the subject building, near the southwest corner, facing Calle De Guadalupe. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2385 Calle De Guadalupe, Mesilla NM 88046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civil War Battle of Mesilla & Major Lynde's Retreat (here, next to this marker); Mesilla Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Plaza de Mesilla (within shouting distance of this marker); All Servicemen and Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Head Quarters, Dept. of New Mexico

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Gadsden Purchase Celebration (within shouting distance of this marker); Butterfield Overland Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); La Posta de Mesilla (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mesilla.

Regarding Billy the Kid. This building, formerly the Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail, is currently occupied by a retail souvenir and gift shop.

Also see . . . Billy the Kid. The Old Courthouse is one of the most historic buildings on the plaza. It was built early in Mesilla's history. Narciso Valencia sold it in 1859 to Zanobia Madrid, wife of Ernest Angerstien. They ran a store on the property. It is said to have housed the state capital when Mesilla was the capital of the Arizona Territory. Local tales also tell of men working out the details of the Gadsden Purchase in this old building. After the Civil War, the county used the building as the County Courthouse and jail until 1882. It was here that Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881. At one time this building held a courthouse, jail

Billy the Kid Marker (<i>wide view from Guadalupe & Parian intersection</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2014

2. Billy the Kid Marker (wide view from Guadalupe & Parian intersection)

and school at the same time. It is said that children would be let out of school before a hanging so they would not see it. (Submitted on November 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.