FORT UNION, New Mexico

INTRODUCTION

Fort Union New Mexico sits along the Santa Fe Trail in the northeastern New Mexico grasslands eight-miles west of Interstate 25 west of Watrous.

Fort Union, the West’s largest 19^th Century military post, is definitely one of those places you just have to see to believe. Unlike many of America’s pioneering military posts it has not been rebuilt or restored.

What remains of the massive adobe walled buildings have been stabilized; a wonderful example of arrested deterioration. I feel the National Park Service has done a great job at presenting the story of the old post; allowing the curious to explore it, communing with long-gone century-plus aged soldiers.

IN THE BEGINNING

In the early 1820s the expanding United States saw the importance of the Southwest and a road was developed between Missouri and Santa Fe. Known as the Santa Fe Trail, this “highway” became an important thoroughfare for commerce.

After the Mexican-American war of 1846 the United States took possession of New Mexico. With the increase in travel to the region, troubles developed between travelers and the local Native Americans.

FORT UNION - YESTERDAY

In July 1851 a military post was established to protect them. However the site was deemed weak, and in 1861, with the Civil War beginning, a stronger fort was needed to repel any possible attacks of Confederate forces. A large, earthen-walled fort was built along on the flatlands a mile to the east. That site was only occupied for a couple years. In 1863, the fort relocated a couple hundred yards north. The adobe block-walled buildings weren’t enclosed by walls.

Facilities included: a row of officer’s quarters, company quarters, a parade ground, flagpole, Quartermaster depot and quarters, commissary office, Clerk’s office, post office, huge warehouses/storehouses, mechanics’ corral, transportation corrals, storage sheds, icehouse, teamsters’ quarters, laundry, chapel, shops, guardhouse, prison, bakery, band quarters and the company stables. There was also a 26-bed post hospital.

By 1875 a relative peace reigned and in 1879, when the railroad reached to Santa Fe, the need for the trail disappeared. With no economic reason to exist, Fort Union began to fade, and on May 15, 1891, the last contingent of soldiers marched out of the post, leaving it to the elements and material scavengers.

Fort Union, New Mexico Territory faded into history.

FORT UNION - TODAY

In 1954, Fort Union a National Monument came into being, and preservation efforts began in earnest.

It is located on SH 161, eight miles northwest of Watrous, which is along Interstate 25 (I-25) at exit 366, some 20 miles north of Las Vegas. There is a small entry fee.

LOCATION:

· Elevation 6785’

· T19N, R18E, New Mexico Principal Meridian & Base Line (On Land Grant – No sections shown)

· Latitude: 35.9072620 / 35° 54’ 26” N

· Longitude: -105.0122258 / 105° 00’ 44” W

This was our

GHOST TOWN OF THE MONTH for Oct 2005