Tour of the Lincoln Courthouse Museum

  • 5 years ago
A short tour of the Courthouse Museum in Lincoln, New Mexico.

The following is an excerpt from Friends of Historic Lincoln New Mexico (http://oldlincolntown.org/site/courthouse/)

"This historic two-story stuccoed adobe structure was built in 1873 – 1874 by L. G. Murphy & Company. Known as the “Big House/Store” for 6 years, it was destined to become the center of both political and business affairs in Lincoln County. Over its’ long history, it has contained a general store, Masonic meeting room, bar, billiard room, sheriff’s office, jail, living quarters, courthouse, city and county offices, school, and was the scene of Billy the Kid’s daring escape when deputies Olinger and Bell died at his hands."

“The House of Murphy” went bankrupt and the county bought the building in 1880. In 1881 the building became the Lincoln County Courthouse and served as such until 1913 when the new courthouse at Carrizozo was completed. The old courthouse was then used as a school for a number of years. In 1938 the State purchased the abandoned structure and began extensive restoration. The Courthouse began its’ new life as a museum in July of 1939." ~ The Friends of Historic Lincoln New Mexico

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