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

The First Ten Years: 1851-1861

— Fort Union National Monument —

The First Ten Years: <i>1851-1861</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

1. The First Ten Years: 1851-1861 Marker

Inscription. If you look straight ahead about a mile, you can see the site of the first Fort Union. There, at the foot of the mesa, soldiers quickly threw up buildings made from logs and uncured, rough-sawn lumber in the summer of 1851.

Their mission was to establish a federal presence, and to protect local residents and travelers on the Santa Fe Trail from raids by the Comanches, Kiowas, Apaches and Mountain Utes. The small first fort was the headquarters for the entire Ninth Military District, later renamed the Military Department of New Mexico.

The log buildings of that first Fort Union leaked and deteriorated quickly. When time came to build the third Fort Union — where you now stand — the Army decided to use more durable adobe instead of local lumber.

Have you noticed the wind while you have been here?
The Army put that first Fort Union near the mesa to shelter their barracks, quarters, shops, and supply warehouses from the battering of these almost constant winds.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers

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• Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 35° 54.275′ N, 105° 0.84′ 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 are within walking distance of this marker. Ready to Repel the Confederates (a few steps from this marker); The First Fort Union (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Union: 1866 (about 400 feet away); The Third Fort Union (about 400 feet away); Rank Has its Privileges (about 500 feet away); The Six Mule Army Wagon (about 500 feet away); Home for the Commandants (about 700 feet away); Life Along Suds Row (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watrous.

Regarding The First Ten Years: 1851-1861. National Register of Historic Places #66000044.

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

Also see . . .

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

2. The First Ten Years: 1851-1861 Marker

(Third Fort Union adobe ruins in right background)

Fort Union New Mexico — Protecting the Santa Fe Trail. Three different Fort Unions existed over the years. The first, a shabby collection of log buildings, was erected in 1851, only five years after the U.S. conquest of New Mexico, on the west bank of Coyote Creek. Probably the most dramatic duty of the garrison, particularly at the time of Indian uprisings, was furnishing escorts and other protection for the Santa Fe Trail. (Submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Additional keywords. The First Ten Years: 1851-1861

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.