Description
Today’s Hico Texas is the shell of a once booming railroad town. It no longer demands attention or is commonly known in Texas. Hico is the sort of place that you grow up forty five minutes away from but have never heard of. Its current state as a small ranching town is the result of the major transportation throughways being rerouted from the area a few times in history. The town is located about 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas and is at the crossroads of only three highways. It is far enough away from any major city to be forgotten by large chain restaurants and stores, but near enough that its agriculture economy has an accessible market. Hico's other source of income is small town tourism and the attraction from the Billy the Kid Museum. Hico boasts on its website as being just “a quick trip from Dallas, Fort Worth or Austin… and the perfect getaway for an afternoon or a weekend.” (Hico Chamber of Commerce) Hico has capitalized on its pioneer roots and the 1950’s claims of former resident, Brushy Bill Roberts, a man who claimed to be the American outlaw Billy the Kid.
Photo by Lindsey Venable
Driving into Hico, on Highway 6, you pass a “Visit Billy
the Kid Museum” sign and an advertisement for the “EZ
DUZ IT RV PARK”. There is a beautiful church,
graveyard, and a Shamrock gas station called the “OLD
MILL STORE”. These names reference the image that
Hico wants to portray, which is a refuge from the busy,
impersonal chaos of modern life in a location stuck in a
different time and place in history. In this small town, you
won’t find a Starbucks, a Wal-Mart, or even a Dairy Queen nearby. Even the nearest McDonald’s is thirty minutes away
in Stephenville.
the Kid Museum” sign and an advertisement for the “EZ
DUZ IT RV PARK”. There is a beautiful church,
graveyard, and a Shamrock gas station called the “OLD
MILL STORE”. These names reference the image that
Hico wants to portray, which is a refuge from the busy,
impersonal chaos of modern life in a location stuck in a
different time and place in history. In this small town, you
won’t find a Starbucks, a Wal-Mart, or even a Dairy Queen nearby. Even the nearest McDonald’s is thirty minutes away
in Stephenville.
There are no electronic flashing marquees here; just good
old fashioned tiled-letter ones that point the way to the celebration. On my Saturday visit to Hico, I found quite a spectacle; it was Billy the Kid Day in Hico, Texas. This meant an influx of maybe fifty visitors. This celebration was created in 1987 and has happened every year since. Highway 6 leads right past the Historic District which is actually just a small section of Pecan Street. |
There are about ten tall, limestone brick buildings with
original writing on them. There is the Randall’s Bros. Grocery, G.L. Lynch Hardware Company, The Wooden Indian Primitives and Knives, and the Jersey Lilly’s Saloon and Restaurant. None of these buildings house the original businesses, but their history remains. Some of the murals are originals, but some have been restored. This is an example of reconstructed place to emphasize a part of history worth remembering. |
Photo by Lindsey Venable
Immediately I encountered a large, muddy looking statue of Billy the Kid by James Rice. His gun is drawn and points to downtown across the street. Nearby there is a plaque that reads
“Ollie L. 'Brushy Bill' Roberts alias Billy the Kid died in Hico Texas December 27, 1950. He spent the last days of his life trying to prove to the world his true identity and obtain the pardon promised him by the Gov. of the state of New Mexico. We believe his story and pray to God for the forgiveness he solemnly asked for."
I followed the trail and walked right across Highway 6 with no problem because there were no cars coming from either direction.
“Ollie L. 'Brushy Bill' Roberts alias Billy the Kid died in Hico Texas December 27, 1950. He spent the last days of his life trying to prove to the world his true identity and obtain the pardon promised him by the Gov. of the state of New Mexico. We believe his story and pray to God for the forgiveness he solemnly asked for."
I followed the trail and walked right across Highway 6 with no problem because there were no cars coming from either direction.
Hico website
It was then that I noticed the gazebo in the center of the street with a plaque that said “Free Downtown Wi-Fi Provided by The Hico Chamber of Commerce.” On their website, they proudly describe the program.
“In our constant effort to make our town more appealing to travelers looking for a weekend getaway, the Hico Chamber of Commerce proudly introduces our new Free Downtown WiFi program. Visitors to Hico can now check their email and browse the internet on their laptops and wireless devices, all for free. Users must simply agree to our terms and conditions and they can freely use the web all they want while enjoying our beautifully restored downtown shopping area.” (Hico Chamber of Commerce)
“In our constant effort to make our town more appealing to travelers looking for a weekend getaway, the Hico Chamber of Commerce proudly introduces our new Free Downtown WiFi program. Visitors to Hico can now check their email and browse the internet on their laptops and wireless devices, all for free. Users must simply agree to our terms and conditions and they can freely use the web all they want while enjoying our beautifully restored downtown shopping area.” (Hico Chamber of Commerce)
Click the first photo for a slide show of the wild west shootout
Photos by Lindsey Venable
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I settled for a glass of iced tea and wondered why there were so many women in big flowing saloon dresses, and men in top hats with guns. I then realized it was time for a Six Flags style western show. The members of the Hico Masonic Club organized a reenactment of what it would have looked like if cattle rustlers were caught in town by the sheriff and his crew. With their blank loaded guns, the good and bad guys had a standoff. The result was a dramatic slaying of Jack the rustler and his friends. With the actors lying in the street, the good old doc came and declared them dead. Once the performance ended they all got up and asked for donations for a Childrens Hospital and went back to their pickup trucks to drink some beer and wait until the next show. This cultural history lesson is an interesting way to bring the wild west spirit to life for today's audience.
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Photo by Lindsey Venable
I then ventured over to the Hico Chamber of Commerce visitor’s center. Outside of the building there was wooden cutout of young Billy the Kid standing next to a similarly dressed character without a face. People stood in line to put their faces there for pictures. Inside of the center you could buy Dublin Dr. Pepper which is a product from the neighboring small town to the northwest. They sold souvenirs and books about Brushy Bill and Hico history. There were framed pictures of Brushy Bill and even some prostitute licenses from the 1880’s including racy photos.
Photo by Lindsey Venable
In the back I found the one-room Billy the Kid Museum. The walls were covered in memorabilia and newspaper clippings about the Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid history, and details surrounding the controversy about Brushy. There was also a replica nineteenth century jail cell and a video loop of the ABC documentary about Brushy Bill.
“The Billy the Kid museum is free to the public. Enjoy a self-guided tour, watch the film, and take a trip back in time as you read the documents depicting the story of Hico legend Brushy Bill Roberts. Brushy Bill claimed to be Billy the Kid before his death on the streets of Hico in 1950. Was he or wasn't he? You be the judge.” (Hico Chamber of Commerce)
“The Billy the Kid museum is free to the public. Enjoy a self-guided tour, watch the film, and take a trip back in time as you read the documents depicting the story of Hico legend Brushy Bill Roberts. Brushy Bill claimed to be Billy the Kid before his death on the streets of Hico in 1950. Was he or wasn't he? You be the judge.” (Hico Chamber of Commerce)