Old Fort Lowell in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Quartermaster Depot and Post Trader
The Commissary Department stored food here. troopers supplemented the army rations with produce they grew in gardens on post. The Ordnance Department used the depot for storing weapons, ammunition, cartridge belts and boxes, and saddles.
North of the depot were the 140-by-290-foot corrals, the stables, and the hay yard for the Quartermaster's horses and mules.
Post Trader
In 1873 John B. "Pie" Allen built a trading post near Fort Lowell. The building is located on private property west of Craycroft Road and north of Fort Lowell Road, west of the Quartermaster and Commissary Depot. Allen soon sold the store to Fred Austin. The 19-room structure contained storeroom, a bar, gaming rooms for officers and enlisted men, and living quarters. The post trader provided necessary and welcome diversions for the soldiers, but the establishment was a continual source of problems for Fort Lowell's commander. The army reprimanded Austin for keeping the bar open after hours, purveying whiskey, exceeding the set price of 30 cents a quart for beer, and selling more than the allowed three bottles of beer per man per day. The store closed in 1889.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 32° 15.674′ N, 110° 52.498′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Old Fort Lowell. Marker is on North Craycroft Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 North Craycroft Road, Tucson AZ 85712, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 12 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rugged Pioneer Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Headquarter's Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chief Trumpeter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fort Lowell Flagstaff (about 400 feet away); Cavalry Barracks and Band Barracks (about 400 feet away); Officers' Quarters (about 400 feet away); Infantry Barracks / Laundresses' Quarters (about 400 feet away); Post Hospital (about 500 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Fort Lowell 1873-1891 / Post Hospital (about 600 feet away); Fort Lowell (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Lowell (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 574 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 31, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.