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

Pat Garrett Murder Site

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010

1. Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker

Inscription. Pat Garrett, the Lincoln County Sheriff who shot and killed William “Billy the Kid” Bonney at Fort Sumner in 1881, was himself murdered at a remote site nearby on February 29, 1908. Wayne Brazel, a local cowboy, confessed to shooting Garrett but was acquitted of all charges. The motive and circumstances surrounding Garrett's death are still being debated.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1579.

Location. 32° 22.776′ N, 106° 43.789′ W. Marker is in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 70 at milepost 153.6 and South Jornada Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 70. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Las Cruces NM 88011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. America's First Battle of World War II: The Philippines (approx. 3.3 miles away); Heroes of Bataan (approx. 3.3 miles away); Doña Ana (1604–1680) (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Branigan Building (approx. 5½ miles away); Bartlett Garcia (approx. 5.6 miles away); Doña Ana (approx. 5.6 miles away); Rio Grande Theatre (approx. 5.6 miles away); The Historic Green Bridge (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Cruces.

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Additional commentary.
1. Location of the Murder Site
Pat Garrett was not killed where the markers are on the highway. Instead he was killed further into the desert, 1.2 miles SE (32.36619, -106.71720)

— Submitted May 3, 2020, by Heinz Landeck of El Paso, Texas.

Rear of Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010

2. Rear of Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker

Photographed By Heinz Landeck, March 1, 2020

3. Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker

Photographed By Heinz Landeck, March 1, 2020

4. Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010

5. Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker

Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker 2/29/24 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anne Holan, February 29, 2024

6. Pat Garrett Murder Site Marker 2/29/24

Friends of Pat Garrett added a site marker in 2021.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,943 times since then and 462 times this year. Last updated on May 3, 2020, by Heinz Landeck of El Paso, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2020, by Heinz Landeck of El Paso, Texas. 5. submitted on November 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 6. submitted on February 29, 2024, by Anne Holan of Las Cruces, New Mexico. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.