Truth or Consequences in Sierra County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Fort McRae 1863-1876
Located on the east side of Elephant Butte Lake, the fort was named for Captain Alexander McRae, who died in the Civil War battle of Valverde, New Mexico, February 1862. Garrisoned over time by units of the New Mexico Volunteers, California Volunteers, the 8th and 9th U.S. Cavalry, and the 15th, 38th and 125th U.S. Infantry, the fort was intended to control a major east/west route across the Rio Grande, by blocking McRae Canyon and the fort served as the initial resting place for Corporal Frank Brattling, 8th U.S. Cavalry and a Medal of Honor Recipient, 1873. The fort was ordered dismantled in 1879, and the cemetery was removed to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1886.
Erected by Elephant Butte Lake State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1862.
Location. 33° 10.854′ N, 107° 12.3′ W. Marker is in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, in Sierra County. It is on Elephant Butte Lake State Park Road. The marker is at the end of the road at the boat ramp. It is on the south side of the road near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Truth or Consequences NM 87901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico and in the Rio Grande Valley. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Elephant Butte Dam (approx. 2.1 miles away); Truth or Consequences (approx. 3½ miles away); Elephant Butte Lake State Park (approx. 4.2 miles away); "Magnificent Magnolia" (approx. 4.4 miles away); Healing Arts (approx. 4.6 miles away); New Deal History (approx. 5.3 miles away); Carrie Tingley (approx. 5.3 miles away); a different marker also named Truth or Consequences (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Truth or Consequences.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Magnolia Ellis, Magnificent Magnolia (was approx. 4.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2020, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,209 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2020, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?

