Silver City's Own Billy the Kid

A special website of the Silver City - Grant County Chamber of Commerce.

Grant County is in the sunny southwest corner of New Mexico.

A large map of the county, showing points of interest, roads and features of the county, is available here.

Upcoming Events in Grant County

Desert West Live Auction
July 31 to August 2
Please note that the auction has expanded to three days. The Auction Gallery is located in the Big Red Barn at 3870 N. Hwy 35, in beautiful Mimbres Valley. You can preview the catalog 1-2 weeks prior to the auction on our website under the heading Catalog at the home page. On Line and Absentee Internet Bidding Available and Hosted by http://www.liveauctioneers.com. Location: The Red Barn, 3870 N. Hwy 35, Mimbres Phone: 575-536-9353

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Knitted Tea Cozy Workshop
July 31, 10:00 am
In this 2-1/2 hour workshop you will design a tea cozy to fit your teapot, whether short or stout! Cost: $20 (SWFAC Member)/$25 (Nonmember) plus $3 materials fee. Location: The Common Thread, 107 W. Broadway, Silver City Phone: 575-538-5733

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Fort Bayard Book Club
August 4, 7:00 pm
Fort Bayard Book Club will have its first ever meeting, free of charge to anyone interested, in western US history. Chapters 1 & 2 of Billington's Buffalo Soldiers of New Mexico will be discussed. Books are available for sale at 575.956.3294. Location: New Deal Theater, Fort Bayard Phone: 575.956.3294

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How to Write a Marketing Plan
August 5, 9:00 am
Learn about key elements of a marketing plan, how to identify target audiences, existing and emerging trends in tourism, using new and traditional media to attract tourism,how other entities use Lodgers' Tax. Taught by Tom Garrity who has developed tourism outreach and awareness programs for some of NM's most recognizable attractions including the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Roswell UFO Encounter, NM State Fair, and the Dept. of Tourism. 9 am-11:30 am Location: WNMU McDonald Student memorial Bldg, 3rd Floor Seminar Room Phone: 538-6320

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Artists' Reception at Silver Spirit Gallery
August 6, 5:00 pm
Meet the Artists Reception with light refreshments during First Friday Art Walk, 5 to 7 pm. Location: 215 Broadway Phone: 388-2079

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Silver City's Own Billy the Kid

By Mary Alice Murphy,
Silver City Daily Press

The controversy over Billy the Kid’s life and death started when he was shot and killed by Pat Garrett in July 1888. But did Billy die, did Garrett really kill him or was somebody else the victim of Garrett’s bullets? The legend holds that Billy, also known as William Bonney Henry McCarty and Henry Antrim, was born in New York, or was it Texas? His mother was Catherine Antrim, or was he born to her sister and raised by Antrim?

The controversy of his life stems far beyond what documented history can tell us. However, a few things about Billy’s life are not controversial. He was raised in Silver City, New Mexico, by Antrim and known then as Henry McCarty. After her death, he had no role models, got involved with shady characters and began his brief life of crime. Also not disputed is that Billy the Kid attended Sixth Street Elementary School in Silver City.

A cabin, from the movie set of “The Missing” was donated by the movie’s director Ron Howard and sits at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center near the site where Billy (a.k.a. Henry) and his mother lived. So, while the stories of Billy change as quickly as time passes, one fact that will always remain is “the Kid” will always be known as one of the West’s most rumored and remembered outlaws.

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