Beginning of Lincoln County War

Date: February 18, 1878 • Location: Lincoln County, United States

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1878–1881.

Competition between two American merchants in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, turned into a range war when a member of one faction was murdered by the other.

Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,269. Its county seat is Carrizozo, while its largest community is Ruidoso.