Near San Antonio in Socorro County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Fort Craig
Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024
1. Fort Craig Marker
In 2014 the Bureau of Land Management reconstructed a portion of the historic earthworks in honor of the soldiers who built and defended Fort Craig. The plans used modern materials, with dimensions based on historic photographs, blueprints and cross-sections found in national and state archives. The intent was to convey the magnitude of the fortifications and the labor required to build them, The original earthworks were built during the winter of 1861-1862 as the Confederate army approached from the south and Fort Craig braced for attack.
Captions
Historic plan for bastion construction
The photo below shows the bastion as it looked in the 1800s. The effective height of the already formidable structure was doubled by the dry moat surrounding it.
Erected by Bureau of Land Management.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 2014.
Location. 33° 38.112′ N, 107° 0.894′ W. Marker is near San Antonio, New Mexico, in Socorro County. It is on Fort Craig Road 4½ miles south of Old US Hwy 85 (New Mexico Highway
this page online
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 walking distance of this marker: Early Spanish Exploration (a few steps from this marker); The Establishment of Fort Craig (a few steps from this marker); Prehistoric Peoples (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Valverde (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Craig (within shouting distance of this marker); Commanding Officer's Quarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Store Houses (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024
2. Fort Craig Marker
More about this marker. At Fort Craig Historic Site, an ADA accessible, self-guided interpretive trail is open seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to one-hour before sunset. The visitors center is open Thursday through Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Also see . . . Fort Craig Historic Site. blm.gov
Fort Craig, established in 1854, was one of the largest and most important frontier forts in the West. Set in the rugged beauty of Socorro County, N.M., it was one of the eight forts situated along the primary north-south road in the Rio Grande Valley. Fort Craig played a crucial role in Indian campaigns and the Civil War.(Submitted on August 5, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024
3. The view of the Fort Craig Marker along the trail
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
