Fort Craig, Military fort in Socorro County, New Mexico
Fort Craig is a historic military fort on a bluff near the Rio Grande, with stone and adobe buildings arranged around a central parade ground. The remains show the typical layout of a 19th-century Army post, including quarters, storage buildings, and fortifications.
The United States Army built the fort in 1854 to protect settlers and travelers along the El Camino Real from Apache and Navajo attacks. The post later became important during the Civil War and saw major confrontations between Union and Confederate forces.
The fort housed soldiers from different backgrounds, including the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry and New Mexico Volunteers with Hispanic and Native American heritage. This mixed garrison shaped daily life at the post and reflects the diverse story of the region.
The site is open to visitors with self-guided trails and picnic areas available daily until sunset. Plan enough time to explore the ruins, especially in warm weather when shade is limited.
The site was the scene of one of the Civil War's largest battles in the Southwest, when over two thousand troops from North and South clashed in 1862. This conflict is an overlooked chapter of American warfare history in the West.
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