Conclusion
In the last 125 years, Hico has atrophied from a booming railroad town to a small ranching community because it is completely off the beaten path. The people stopping in Hico have to travel there intentionally. To lure their dollars into Hico, they harness the American obsession with the Wild West, and Billy the Kid. They have been fortunate enough to have had Brushy Bill Roberts grace their small town and boost the uniqueness of their story. This uniqueness gives Hico an edge over other local area attractions and can compete for the economic advantages that historic and cultural tourism brings in. Hico no longer just offers small town charm, antiques and a good chicken fried steak like every other town on the map, but a piece of original, authentic history. Brushy Bill Roberts' story has set Hico apart.