Near Tucumcari in Quay County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Black Jack Ketchum

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2016

1. Black Jack Ketchum Marker

Inscription. The last of the train robbers, Black Jack Ketchum, who terrorized the railroads in the 1880's killed two men near this spot and hid out in a cave near Saddleback Mesa to the Southwest. The swarthy bandit was wounded in his last robbery and hanged in 1901.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 34° 59.42′ N, 103° 44.807′ W. Marker is near Tucumcari, New Mexico, in Quay County. It is on State Road 209 at milepost 71.5, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tucumcari NM 88401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern New Mexico.

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

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Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tucumcari Mountain (approx. 10.6 miles away); Yetta Kohn (1843 – 1917) (approx. 12½ miles away); A Route 66 Classic (approx. 12.7 miles away); Blue Swallow Motel (approx. 12.7 miles away); Comanche Country (approx. 12.7 miles away); a different marker also named Tucumcari Mountain (approx. 12.9 miles away); Tucumcari (approx. 12.9 miles away); a different marker also named Tucumcari Mountain (approx. 13.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucumcari.

Also see . . . Legends of America. Train Robber - Black Jack Ketchum (Submitted on March 22, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2016

2. Black Jack Ketchum Marker

Back of Marker
Points of Interest
New Mexico's Historic Markers typically have a map on the back side showing the location of other OSHM's. This is an excellent source of information when exploring for other Historical Markers and locations.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2016

3. Black Jack Ketchum Marker

View north on highway 209.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,583 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.