Near Watrous in Mora County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Home for the Commandants

— Fort Union National Monument —

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

1. Home for the Commandants Marker

Inscription. For 24 years the officer in command of the cavalry and infantry troops at Fort Union lived here. The post commandant issued the orders that determined the daily duties and routines for hundreds of enlisted men, non-commissioned officers, officers, and civilian employees. He made the decisions about who would patrol the Santa Fe Trail — and for how long.

From 1867-1891 over 100 Regular Army officers held this command. Some served as little as one week in this position. Some stayed in charge as long as 36 months. Some captains, majors, and colonels only held command once. Other commandants returned to duty at Fort Union as many as 14 times.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list.

Location. 35° 54.387′ N, 105° 0.854′ W. Marker is near Watrous, New Mexico, in Mora County. Marker can be reached from New Mexico Route 161, 7½ miles north of CanAm Highway (Interstate 25). Marker is located along the park trail at Fort Union National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3115 New Mexico Route 161, Watrous NM 87753, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

are within walking distance of this marker. Rank Has its Privileges (within shouting distance of this marker); The Third Fort Union (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Union: 1866 (about 300 feet away); Officers' Row (about 400 feet away); Distant For Good Reasons (about 400 feet away); Crime and Punishment on an Army Post (about 500 feet away); Hard Work, Strict Discipline, and $13 a Month (about 500 feet away); Life Along Suds Row (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watrous.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort Union National Monument

Marker detail: Three Fort Union Commandants image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Three Fort Union Commandants

John Brooke • Lieutenant Colonel • 37th Infantry
Oct 1867-July 1868

Nathan Dudley • Lieutenant Colonel • 9th Calvary
Nov 1876-Aug 1877
Jan 1880-June 1880

Henry Black • Lieutenant Colonel • 23rd Infantry
Oct 1882-June 1884

Marker detail: Officers' Quarters image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Officers' Quarters

The Officers’ Quarters were the largest and most comfortable places to live here at Fort Union.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

4. Home for the Commandants Marker

Fort Union Officers' Quarters Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

5. Fort Union Officers' Quarters Ruins

(view from near marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.