LINCOLN, N.M. – A recent broadband expansion is modernizing life in the historic New mexico town of lincoln, enabling credit card transactions for the first time at the famed Last Escape of billy the Kid pageant box office and among local vendors. The change, implemented in 2024, reflects a broader shift in how visitors experience the town’s rich history.Lincoln, known for its pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and its association with Billy the Kid, is home to two of New Mexico’s largest state-run historic sites: the Lincoln Historic Site, encompassing 17 buildings, and Fort Stanton, with 88 architectural features. Together, they represent over half of the structures managed by the state Department of Cultural Affairs. Despite its remote location, Lincoln consistently ranks as the most visited state historic site.
The ability to accept credit cards-a first for the pageant-resulted in greater online ticket sales this year, according to pageant organizer David Amastae, whose family has been involved with the event for over 80 years. He anticipates the number of credit card transactions will continue to increase as awareness grows.
“I’m sure now that everybody knows we can do that,that number will go up,” Amastae said.
The broadband access, also newly available to vendors during the early August pageant, is especially impactful in a town without ATMs, according to local resident Jeff Tucker. “It’s the new modern way of the world,” he added.
Oliver horn, regional manager of Lincoln and Fort Stanton historic sites, noted Lincoln’s enduring appeal as “this iconic setting in American popular culture.” Old Lincoln Days features open museums, demonstrations of blacksmithing and gold panning, and the hourlong pageant, complete with cowboys on horseback firing blank rounds.
