Boaz in Richland County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Richard M. Brewer

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

1. Richard M. Brewer Marker

Inscription. One of the most colorful incidents in the violent history of the American West during the late 1800s, the Lincoln County War in New Mexico involved a Boaz man named Richard M. Brewer. Born February 19, 1850, "Dick" Brewer came to Richland County with his family in 1854, then like thousands of other Wisconsinites he left to seek his fortune even farther west. By 1870, he was a rancher in New Mexico, where he also worked as foreman on John H. Tunstall's ranch. The murder of Tunstall on February 18, 1878, by rival cattlemen launched the Lincoln County War. Brewer, loyal to Tunstall, led a group called the Regulators to arrest Tunstall's murderers. Among the Regulators deputized by Brewer was his friend, William Bonney, who became better known as Billy the Kid. Brewer lost his life in a shoot-out on April 4, 1878, and he became a legend both in Boaz and New Mexico.

Erected 1993 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 315.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 19, 1850.

Location. 43° 20.055′ N, 90° 31.568′

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W. Marker is in Boaz, Wisconsin, in Richland County. It is on County Highway E (State Highway 171) north of Park Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Boaz Community Park, north of the Boaz Community Building parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17010 State Highway 171, Richland Center WI 53581, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ocooch Mountains (a few steps from this marker); Rural Electrification (approx. 1.3 miles away); Boaz Mastodon (approx. 1.3 miles away); Wisconsin Purple Heart Memorial Highway (approx. 6.6 miles away); Ada James (approx. 6.9 miles away); Krouskop Park (approx. 6.9 miles away); Vernon W. Thomson (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Little Rock (approx. 11.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boaz.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Birthplace of GTE (was approx. 6.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Richard Brewer. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)

2. Richard M. Brewer. Find A Grave memorial. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

2. Richard M. Brewer Marker

Boaz Community Building Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

3. Boaz Community Building Sign

[located in Boaz Community Park]
Two historical markers can be seen in the distance.

Photographed by Greta Schassler, October 25, 2025

4. Richard M. Brewer Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,843 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on October 25, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.