White Oaks, New Mexico

The historic Gumm House, a Victorian mansion in White Oaks, New Mexico. The Gumm brothers owned the local sawmill. Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett was at this very house on April 28, 1881 to purchase lumber for the gallows to hang William Bonney (aka Billy The Kid), while at the same time, Billy the Kid was making his famous escape from the Lincoln courthouse where he was being held. White Oaks had a population of about 2,500 in the late 1880s. There are several residents today in this virtual ghost town. Photo taken 9/2/07.