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

Fort Union Arsenal / Fort Union National Monument

Fort Union Arsenal<br>(<i>marker south side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2015

1. Fort Union Arsenal
(marker south side)

Inscription. Fort Union Arsenal
(marker south side)West of Fort Union near the base of the mesa are the ruins of Fort Union Arsenal. The first Fort Union was built at this location in 1851. In 1867 this wooden fort was razed and the adobe Arsenal erected. This Arsenal played a vital role in supplying armaments to military posts throughout New Mexico until 1882.

Fort Union National Monument
1851-1891
(marker north side)Once the largest post in the Southwest, Fort Union was established to control the Jicarilla Apaches and Utes, to protect the Santa Fe Trail, and to serve as a supply depot for other New Mexico forts. The arrival of the railroad and the pacification of the region led to its abandonment in 1891.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 35° 53.663′ N, 105° 1.307′ W. Marker is near Watrous, New Mexico, in Mora County. Marker is on New Mexico Route 161, 6.6 miles north of Interstate

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25, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in a pull-out on the west side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 (approx. 0.8 miles away); The First Ten Years: 1851-1861 (approx. 0.8 miles away); The First Fort Union (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fort Union: 1866 (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Third Fort Union (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Six Mule Army Wagon (approx. 0.9 miles away); Rank Has its Privileges (approx. 0.9 miles away); Home for the Commandants (approx. 0.9 miles 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

Also see . . . Fort Union History. By 1851 nearly 1,300 soldiers served in the New Mexico Territory. Lt. Col. Edwin V. Sumner relocated the department headquarters and the main supply depot from Santa Fe to this site strategically situated near the junction of the Mountain and Cimarron Branches of the Santa Fe Trail. (Submitted on September 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Fort Union National Monument<br>(<i>marker north side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2015

2. Fort Union National Monument
(marker north side)

Fort Union Arsenal (<i>marker south side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2015

3. Fort Union Arsenal (marker south side)

Fort Union National Monument (<i>marker north side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2015

4. Fort Union National Monument (marker north side)

Fort Union National Monument entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2015

5. Fort Union National Monument entrance

(½ mile north of marker on New Mexico Route 161)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on September 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.