Near San Antonio in Socorro County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Officers' Quarters

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

1. Officers' Quarters Marker

Inscription. These buildings housed officers with their families and servants, including the original Post Commander, before special quarters were built across the parade ground. The 1873 Surgeon General's report describes them as "well finished, being plastered within and without... All the quarters of the officers are heated with open fireplaces, and well lighted by windows."

Captain Jack Crawford, known as "The Poet-Scout," was Post Sutler (trader) through most of the 1880s, and lived in one of these quarters with his family as custodian of the Fort for some years after it was decommissioned. The lower photo is probably Crawford's family and friends, about 1890, after a tin roof has been added to the building.

Captions
Photo Courtesy of National Archives

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 33° 38.131′ N, 107° 0.761′ 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 Route 1). The marker is located at the Fort Craig Historic Site along the visitor trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 457 Fort Craig Road, San Antonio NM 87832, 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 walking distance

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of this marker: The Buffalo Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Canby and Sibley at Fort Craig (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Valverde (within shouting distance of this marker); Parade Grounds and Enlisted Quarters About 1867 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Company Quarters (about 300 feet away); Guard House and Sally Port (about 300 feet away); Commanding Officer's Quarters (about 400 feet away); Sutler's Row (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

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 visitor’s 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

2. Officers' Quarters Marker

The view of the Officers' Quarters Marker along the trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

3. The view of the Officers' Quarters Marker along the trail

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.