Forts of New Mexico
Fort Fillmore to Fort Wingate
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See Map of Forts in New Mexico
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Ft. Fillmore |
Dona Ana |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Fauntleroy |
McKinley |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. McLane |
Grant |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. McRae |
Sierra |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Selden Springs |
Radium Springs, Dona Ana |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Stanton |
Lincoln County |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Sumner |
De Baca |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Webster |
Grant |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Thorn |
Dona Ana |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Wingate I |
McKinley |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Wingate II |
McKinley |
C. W. Barnum |
Ft. Fillmore: This another fort in Dona Ana County. It is six miles
south of Las Cruces, east of Brazito. It had a post office from 1852 until 1863.
It was named for President Millard Fillmore. This fort was occupied by loyal
Confederate citizens in 1861 for one day. The fort closed in 1862 and all
remains have disappeared.
Ft. Fauntleroy: This post in McKinley County is better known as Fort Wingate.
See below.
Ft. McLane: This fort is in Grant County four miles south of Hurley. It was
crated in 1860 by the 7th US Infantry. It originally was named Fort Floyd
and later named Fort McLane for Captain George McLane who was killed by Navajo
Indians in 1861. Apache Chief Mangas Colorado was killed at this fort in 1861
according to Robert Julyan.
Ft. McRae: This post is in Sierra County. It was located where Elephant Butte
Reservoir now stands. It was built in 1863. It was named for Captain Alexander
McRae who was killed at the Battle of Valverde by Confederates. The fort closed
in 1876.
Ft. Selden Springs: This fort is in Dona Ana County. It is now a state monument
southeast of Radium Springs. It had a post office under different names from
1891 until 1923. The fort was created in 1865 to protect travelers of the
Jornada del Muerto. It was named for Colonel Henry R. Selden. It closed in 1884.
Ft. Stanton: This historic fort is in Lincoln County. Much more history exists
in Lincoln County than Billy the Kid silliness such as the Oscuro area, White
Oaks, Angus, Bonito City, Smokey Bear, the Apache Mescalero Nation, and the
Lincoln National Forest. Fort Stanton was created in 1855. It was named for
Captain Henry W. Stanton who was killed by the Mescalero Apache Indians in
January of 1855. It was invaded by the Confederates in 1861. Kit Carson re-took
the Fort in 1862. It served its purpose until 1896 when it was closed. It was
converted into a military hospital in 1899. In 1939 it was an internment camp
for captured German sailors. See history.
See Cemetery. See 1860
Census index.
Ft. Sumner: This fort is in De Baca County. It is four miles southeast of the
town of Fort Sumner. It was built in 1862 to fight the Navajo and Apache
Indians. It was named for Colonel Edmond Vose Sumner who established forts
through out the southwest. The fort was closed in 1868. Over the years, at least
four places in this area were called Fort Sumner.
Ft. Webster: The fort was created in 1851 in Grant County. It was named for
Secretary of State Daniel Webster. The fort died in 1853.
Ft. Thorn: This fort is in Dona Ana County north of Hatch. It was created in
1853. In 1859 the fort died after battling disease and floods.
Ft. Wingate I and
Ft. Wingate II: The history of this fort is confusing. It is in McKinley County
east of Gallup. It has had a post office since 1874. It was first established as
a post in 1849 at Seboyeta. It moved near the town of Ojo del Gallo ca. 1850. It
was once called Camp Hay. In 1862 it was named Fort Wingate for Captain Benjamin
Wingate who died at the Battle of Valverde. In 1868 it moved to Fort Lyon which
was earlier called Fort Fauntleroy but changed because the Commander
(Colonel Thomas Fauntleroy) of the fort became a Confederate in 1862.
Under any name (Camp Hay, Fauntleroy, Lyon or Wingate 1 or Wingate II) and at
any location, it was closed in 1992. The area still has a post office under the
name of Ojo del Gallo.