Old Fort Lowell in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Fort Lowell

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

1. Fort Lowell Marker

Inscription. The military post, established in 1862 near downtown Tucson, was moved to this location in 1873. One of many active forts on the Arizona frontier, Lowell served also as a major supply depot, influencing the economy and social life of the community. At its peak in the 1880's, three companies of infantry and two troops of cavalry - more than 250 officers and soldiers - were stationed here. The need for Fort Lowell steadily declined after Geronimo's surrender in 1886 and, despite local protest, it was closed by the army in 1891.

Spanish Translation Marker Fuerte de Lowell El fuerte militar, establecido cerca del centro de Tucsón en 1862, se trasladó a este sitio en 1873. Uno de los fuertes más activos en la frontera de Arizona, servía también de almacén militar mayor, contribuyendo a la vida social y económica de la comunidad. Entre 1880 y 1890, al colmo de su importancia, tenía tres compañías de infantería y dos de caballería – 250 oficiales y soldados. Después del rendimiento de Gerónimo en 1886, Lowell hacía menos falta. A pesar de quejas locales, el ejército lo cerró en 1891.

Erected by Tucson - Pima County Historical Commission and Arizona Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles

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• War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 32° 15.594′ N, 110° 52.406′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Old Fort Lowell. It can be reached from North Craycroft Road near East Glenn Street. The Marker is inside Fort Lowell Park at the east end of the Cottonwood Lane. Fort Lowell is on North Craycroft Road just north of Glenn Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 North Craycroft Road, Tucson AZ 85712, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sky Islands,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

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 Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cottonwood Lane (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Fort Lowell (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Lowell 1873-1891 / Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Infantry Barracks / Laundresses' Quarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fort Lowell Flagstaff (about 400 feet away); Officers' Quarters (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.

Additional commentary.
1. Fort Lowell (1860 - 1891)

Fuerte De Lowell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

2. Fuerte De Lowell Marker

Spanish translation of marker text.

The Spanish established a Presidio (fortified camp} in Tucson about 1776 and remained until 1829. Mexican soldiers garrisoned the walled town until General Philip Cooke's Mormon Battalion arrived in 1846; after negotiations, the Mexicans departed. In 1860 the Camp Tucson was established on the present site of the Armory Park in Tucson. The fort was evacuated at the outbreak of the Civil War. The Confederate constitutional convention declared this section of Arizona no longer a part of the US in March 1861. Confederate forces made this Camp their headquarters once they occupied Tucson. Tucson returned to Union control when the California Volunteers pitched camp on the east side of town a year later.

Post was too weak to be continued and was abandoned on September 15, 1864. The post was relocated at the Military Plaza and as renamed Camp Lowell in honor of Brig. Gen. Charls R. Lowell of the 6th Calvary, who was killed at Cedar Creek, Virginia during the Civil War. Renamed Fort Lowell, April 5, 1879. The camp was repositioned and improved. It became a major supply depot for troops in southern Arizona during many Indian actions, including the Geronimo Campaign. On April 5, 1891 the Fort was abandoned despite outcries by local Tucsonians who desired to maintain the post for its economic status. The rebuilt officers' quarters now contain a museum.
Source: http://jeff.scott.tripod.com/ftlowell.html

Cottonwood Lane at Fort Lowell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

3. Cottonwood Lane at Fort Lowell

Fort Lowell Marker is just to left of lane by the parking lot.
Marker seen in photo is a marker commemorating Cottonwood Lane.

— Submitted January 4, 2010.

Fort Lowell Officer's Quarters image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 1, 2010

4. Fort Lowell Officer's Quarters

This building now houses the Fort Lowell Museum. The marker is at the far end of the Cottonwood trees on the left.

Original Ground Plan of Fort Lowell in 1873 image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey (LOC)

5. Original Ground Plan of Fort Lowell in 1873

Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division
HABS ARIZ,10-TUCSO.V,2-
Building/structure dates: 1874 initial construction
Building/structure dates: 1882 subsequent work
Building/structure dates: 1885 subsequent work
Click on photo for better viewing.

Fort Lowell Officers Quarters image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Frederick D. Nichols, Photographer, circa 1938

6. Fort Lowell Officers Quarters

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
HABS ARIZ,10-TUCSO.V,2-A-
Click for more information.

Ruins of Post Hospital image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner

7. Ruins of Post Hospital

The nearby Veterans Memorial Marker is seen in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,696 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 4, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on January 4, 2010. 7. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.