The historical marker in front of the vacant lot where the McSween house once stood.
Site of the McSween House
The above photo shows a drawing of what the McSween house looked like.
During the Lincoln County War this building was the mercantile store known locally as the house. It was owned and operated by Jimmy Dolan and Company. In later years it served as the Lincoln County courthouse and was the same building that Billy the Kid made his famous escape from.
John Tunstall with the help of his partner Alexander McSween had this store built in 1877 in an attempt to make his own fortune while at the same time attempting to take over the mercantile monopoly that Dolan and Company currently held in Lincoln. John Tunstall and Alex McSween were warned by Susan McSween that if they entered into the store business that they would be murdered. However John Tunstall ignored Susan's premonitions and opened the store. He was later murdered on February 18, 1878 while driving horses from his ranch on the Rio Feliz back to the corral behind his store. It was from this same corral behind the store that the Regulators later ambushed Sheriff William Brady on April 1, 1878.
The historical marker in front of the Tunstal Store and Museum
The interior of the Tunstall Store
Lucas standing between the graves of John Tunstall and Alexander McSween near the Tunstall store.
Alex McSween's grave located behind Tunstall's store.
John Tunstall's grave located behind his store.
Sheriff Peppin's house on the western edge of town as it appears today.
