We are in New Mexico, travelling around, today we are in Gallup and tomorrow heading up to the Four corners then going to do Santa Fe to Taos scenic drive. Is it worth going south to see Billy the Kid's grave at Fort Sumner? We fly back to UK from Dallas middle of May. Why is Billy the Kid a folk hero does anyone know?
Reply to this Hi Rosemary - Billy the Kid is a famous outlaw, although I wouldn't necessarily consider him a folk hero. I think he epitomizes the idyllic vision of the "American West" - wild, gun-slinging bandits, breaking the law and living on the edge, killing anyone who gets in their way. How much of this is historic fact and how much Hollywood, hard to say, although I think the man did shoot about 20 people.
If you're particularly interested in the Wild-West folk stories or history of Billy the Kid (or William H. Bonney), than a visit to the grave would be worthwhile addition to your trip, but I wouldn't recommend someone go out of their way to see it as a "can't miss site" unless it was something they already wanted to do. I've driven throughout NM several times and never stopped in Fort Sumner, and I can't say I feel like I missed out.
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