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

Fort Sumner

Population 933 - Elevation 4,028

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

1. Fort Sumner Marker

Inscription. Named for the fort built in 1862 to guard the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation, the town of Fort Sumner grew out of settlements clustering around the Maxwell family properties. It moved to its present site with the construction of the Belén Cutoff of the Santa Fe Railroad around 1907

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 34° 27.31′ N, 104° 11.63′ W. Marker is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in De Baca County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 84 and Billy the Kid Drive, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 84. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26820 US-84, 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,

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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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Sumner, the Bosque Redondo Reservation, and "Billy the Kid's" Grave (here, next to this marker); Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site (approx. 3½ miles away); a different marker also named Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site (approx. 3½ miles away); William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881 / Old Fort Sumner Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); Welcome to the Historic Fort Sumner Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); Joe "Texas Red" Grant (approx. 3½ miles away); Billy the Kid (approx. 3.6 miles away); Billy the Kid's Elusive Tombstone (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sumner.

Other markers no longer nearby. Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named

Fort Sumner Marker (right side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

2. Fort Sumner Marker (right side)

Fort Sumner (was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Old Fort Sumner and “Billy the Kid’s” Grave (was approx. 3½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

The view of the Fort Sumner Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

3. The view of the Fort Sumner Marker along the street

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 343 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.