Near Las Vegas in San Miguel County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Fort Union National Monument
1851-1891
| | 18 Miles | |
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
1. Fort Union National Monument Marker
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 • Military. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 35° 44′ N, 105° 2.717′ W. Marker is near Las Vegas, New Mexico, in San Miguel County. It is on Interstate 25 at milepost 360, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the northbound rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Las Vegas NM 87701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument 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 was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Watrous (approx. 4½ miles away); Watrous - Western Junction of the Santa Fe Trail (approx. 5.3 miles away); La Junta (approx. 5.9 miles away); A New Community Sprouts Roots (approx. 7.6 miles away); Intersection of History
this page online
Also see . . . A Fort for a Young America. NPS - Fort Union website with photos and links to additional information. (Submitted on May 15, 2012.)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 21, 2014
2. Fort Union National Monument Marker
It appears that the marker has been replaced.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
3. Reat of: Fort Union National Monument Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012
4. Fort Union National Monument Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,121 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on October 9, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
