Historical Marker

Old Fort Sumner and "Billy The Kid’s" Grave (2)


Fort Sumner was established in 1862 to guard the Navajo and Apache on the Bosque Redondo Reservation after their “Long Walk.” It was discontinued as a military post in 1868 and the buildings and site were sold to Lucien B. Maxwell. William “Billy the Kid” Bonney was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett the night of July 14, 1881. Bonney is buried in the nearby cemetery.