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DeBaca County, rich in farming, ranching and water sports,
also has an interesting past. From being a historic trading area
for Spanish and Indians for more than 100 years, to Billy the
Kid and his outlaw gang, to the internment of Navajo and Mescalero
people, DeBaca County is rich in Old West and Native American
history. Visit its many museums and memorial sites to learn more
about the history surrounding DeBaca County.
REDTT has a strong County Tourism Council (CTC) that meets
on the 2nd Monday of each month. For additional information,
to become a member and to get involved in tourism in DeBaca County,
contact the REDTT director at redtt@nmsu.edu
or call (505) 646-8009. REDTT is open to all persons interested
in tourism issues.
Towns in DeBaca County include: Fort Sumner. Learn more about
DeBaca County by clicking on some of the following links:
- Fort Sumner/DeBaca Chamber of Commerce: www.ftsumnerchamber.com
- Old Fort Sumner Museum and Billy the Kid's Grave: the
county's original museum, in Old Fort Sumner, at the authentic
grave site of Billy the Kid and pals. http://frontpage.nmia.com/~btkog/places/old-fort-sumner.html
(505) 355-2942
- Fort Sumner State Monument: www.museumofnewmexico.org/inst.cgi?_fn=Inst&_instid=SUMN
- Bosque Redondo Memorial: The site of the Bosque Redondo
Reservation where more than 9,000 Navajo and Mescalero Apache
people were interned by the U.S. Government from 1863-1868. This
tragic chapter in American history is interpreted through photographs
and text.
www.museumofnewmexico.org/exhibits.cgi?_fn=Show+Exhibit&_recordnum=289
- Bosque de Redondo Lake: Located five miles southeast
of Fort Sumner. Camping is available year round at no charge.
Visitors can fish from the bank and watch beautiful sunsets.
(505) 355-7705
- Sumner Lake State Park: www.emnrd.state.nm.us/emnrd/parks/SumnerLake.htm
- Billy the Kid Museum: features more than 60,000 relics
of the historic past including a rifle that belonged to Billy
the Kid along with the documentation. (505) 355-2380
- Historical WPA Murals: Located in the De Baca County
Courthouse at 513 Avenue C. the scenes depict the history of
the old fort, Billy the Kid, the birth of farming and ranching
and coming of the railroad. (505) 355-2601
- Windows to the Past Museum: A beautifully done collection
of photo's dedicated to preserving the history of the area families.
Pictures of more than 60 families from the 1800s to present day,
including those who served in the armed forces. 718 N. 4th St.,
(505) 355-7705
- Annual Old Fort Days / The World's Richest Billy the Kid
Tombstone Race: Family fun, music, food, rodeo, games and
dancing! A fabulous annual event. (505) 355-7705, 2nd weekend
of June.
- Annual Winterfest: Arts and Crafts, Santa Claus and
more. A traditional holiday event for the whole family. (505)
355-7705, 2nd Saturday of December.
- More to come as information is received - contact
Web master with new information
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