Fort Sumner in De Baca County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881
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Old Fort Sumner Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

1. William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881 / Old Fort Sumner Cemetery Marker

Inscription. William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881
Henry McCarty is better known by his alias, William "Billy the Kid" Bonney. His family moved to the New Mexico territory in 1873. Bonney was charged with numerous thefts and involved in nine murders during his brief life. At age 19, he was sentenced to death for the murder of Sheriff William Brady. On April 21, 1881, Bonney escaped from the Lincoln County jail, killing two deputies. He fled to Fort Sumner, the home of many of his friends. Bonney was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Peter Maxwell's house on July 14, 1881. His grave in the Fort Sumner Cemetery was originally marked by a wooden cross.

Reverse Side
Old Fort Sumner Cemetery
This cemetery is purported to be the military cemetery for Fort Sumner. Fort Sumner was deactivated by the US Army in 1869. A year later the post buildings were sold to Lucien B. Maxwell, one of the largest landowners in New Mexico. Maxwell moved to the area from Colfax County and rebuilt the former officers' quarters into a 20-room Spanish Colonial-style house. Maxwell died in 1875 and is buried in the cemetery

Erected by New

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Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1881.

Location. 34° 24.248′ N, 104° 11.597′ W. Marker is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in De Baca County. It is on Billy the Kid Drive south of Pecan Drive, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in front of the visitor’s center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3501 Billy the Kid Dr, Fort Sumner NM 88119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern New Mexico

and in the Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to the Historic Fort Sumner Cemetery

William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881 / Old Fort Sumner Cemetery Marker - Reverse Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

2. William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881 / Old Fort Sumner Cemetery Marker - Reverse Side

(a few steps from this marker); Joe "Texas Red" Grant (a few steps from this marker); Billy the Kid (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom O'Folliard (within shouting distance of this marker); Billy the Kid's Elusive Tombstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlie Bowdre (within shouting distance of this marker); Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucien Bonaparte Maxwell (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sumner.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Fort Sumner and “Billy the Kid’s” Grave (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

The view of the marker from the Visitors Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

3. The view of the marker from the Visitors Center

Billy the Kid is buried with his pals, Tom O'Folliard and Charlie Bowdre. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

4. Billy the Kid is buried with his pals, Tom O'Folliard and Charlie Bowdre.

William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

5. William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Gravestone

The view of the William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave in the Old Fort Sumner Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

6. The view of the William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave in the Old Fort Sumner Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.

William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881⎯⎯⎯Old Fort Sumner Cemetery

William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881
⎯⎯⎯
Old Fort Sumner Cemetery