Bullets, booze, and brothels. There’s a reason why the Old West is more commonly called the Wild West. While plenty of places were tame rather than lawless, other towns in New Mexico fully lived up to their violent reputation. Here are 10 old west towns in New Mexico:

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Have you visited any of these old west towns in New Mexico that were once such turbulent places? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re interested in New Mexico’s more disorderly residents, read our previous article: “Not Many People Know These 6 Wild West Legends Are Buried In New Mexico.”

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More to Explore

Old West Towns In New Mexico

What are some of the creepiest ghost towns in New Mexico?

Once upon a time, mining was a huge industry and because of this, towns sprang up throughout New Mexico. But when the mining industry died, many of these towns were abandoned, With no people and crumbling buildings, you can certainly discover some of these once-thriving towns. Some of the creepiest ghost towns in New Mexico include:

  • Once a silver mining town, Lake Valley. Instead of being abandoned due to a dying industry, however, a fire destroyed much of the town. 
  • Dawson had experienced two mining-related disasters and is rumored to be haunted today.
  • Elizabethtown was home to Charles Kennedy, a notorious serial killer who ran a lodge and murdered some of his guests.

 

What are the most charming small towns in New Mexico?

Some of the most charming towns in New Mexico include:

  • Arroyo Seco
  • Taos
  • Tucumcari

 

Check out more of the best small towns in New Mexico.

Who was the most famous outlaw in New Mexico’s history?

The most famous outlaw in the history of New Mexico is the most famous outlaw in our nation’s history. Billy the Kid, whose birth name was William Henry McCarty, was a gunslinging outlaw. He had killed eight men in his life which ended at the young age of 21.