Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Welcome to Historic Fort Marcy
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2021
1. Welcome to Historic Fort Marcy Marker
Fort Marcy was constructed in 1846 at the outset of the Mexican-American War by the U.S. Army following the invasion and capture of the Mexican city of Santa Fe. The Americans built a fort atop this hill to protect the troops in the case of an uprising. The fort provided a clear view of Santa Fe and sent a message to its residents that the city had a new government.
The fort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Cultural Properties. Fort Marcy has been certified as a site along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.
Follow the sidewalk to learn more about the history and construction of Fort Marcy.
Fort Marcy was designed as a "star fort" which allowed defenders to fire at attackers from multiple directions. You will see the ruins as you walk through the park.
This exhibit was made possible through a partnership between the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico State Historic Preservation Division, and the National Park Service. Working to foster the appreciation and preservation of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, the National Park Service works with federal, state, and
this page online
Learn more: nps.gov/safe or santafetrail.org
Erected by Santa Fe National Historic Trail, National Park Service, City of Santa Fe and the State Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. 35° 41.374′ N, 105° 55.857′ W. Marker is in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It can be reached from Kearney Avenue south of Prince Avenue. Marker is located near the parking area of Cross of the Martyrs from Kearney/Prince Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 Kearney Ave, Santa Fe NM 87501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2021
2. Welcome to Historic Fort Marcy Marker
View from the parking lot. It is the first NPS marker you see as you walk towards the Cross of the Martyrs
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: L. Bradford Prince (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blockhouse Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); Witnessed from Fort Marcy Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Invasion of Santa Fe (within shouting distance of this marker); First Army Fort in the Southwest (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to Historic Fort Marcy (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); To the Future (about 600 feet away); 1985 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.
Also see . . . Fort Marcy on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 14, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2021
3. Welcome to Historic Fort Marcy Marker
A duplicate marker can be found next to the Cross of the Martyrs
Photographed by New York State Capitol
4. William L. Marcy
This painting by Samuel L. Waldo represents William Learned Marcy when he was Governor of New York (1833-38). Marcy was Secretary of War when Fort Marcy was established, and named for him.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4. submitted on March 12, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
