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All the United States New Mexico Arenas Valley Fort Bayard Historical Site

Fort Bayard Historical Site

This old army installation has worn many hats throughout its history.

Arenas Valley, New Mexico

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angiemwilliams36 , Mike Walker
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Officer housing.   angiemwilliams36 / Atlas Obscura User
The old administration building.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
Buffalo Soldier monument. The statue features Corporal Clinton Greaves of the 9th Cavalry, who won the Medal of Honor.   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
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Enlisted housing, POW housing.   angiemwilliams36 / Atlas Obscura User
Base fire station.   angiemwilliams36 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Just north of Santa Clara in southern New Mexico lies the site of Fort Bayard, one of the most storied military outposts of the old Southwest. The fort was established in 1866 to protect encroaching settlers against Native American resistance. It was staffed mainly by black “Buffalo Soldiers,” including some from the famous 9th Cavalry Regiment. It was named in honor of Brigadier General George Dashiell Bayard, who had been killed four years earlier in the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg. 

Over its decades of operation, Fort Bayard forged a rich history. In 1886 it was visited by John Pershing, at the time a future officer, who would become well-known for his leadership in World War I. Pershing came to Fort Bayard to oversee the installation of a heliograph, a long-range communications device that uses sunlight to send messages in Morse Code. Pershing would later be nicknamed “Black Jack” for his service with Buffalo Soldier regiments, including the 9th Cavalry. The epithet was meant to be derisive.

After the surrender of Geronimo in 1886, Apache attacks were seen as less of a threat to settlers. As a result, western forts like this one began to shut down. Fort Bayard was converted to a military research hospital with a focus on tuberculosis. It was briefly reactivated as a military fort during World War II, used as the centerpiece of a German POW camp. It is now run by the New Mexico Department of Health as Fort Bayard Medical Center.

Unfortunately, the only elements of the site remaining from the 19th century are the landscaping and the cemetery. Still, there is a museum and walking tour available. There is also a monument dedicated to the Buffalo Soldiers who were stationed here, featuring Corporal Clinton Greaves, hero of the 9th Cavalry and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

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History & Culture Buildings Abandoned Forts World War Ii

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Guided tours are offered on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They meet in front of the Commanding Doctor’s Home and Museum, along the west side of the Parade Ground.

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angiemwilliams36, mikewalker

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Catlick23

  • Catlick23

Published

July 1, 2021

Updated

January 22, 2024

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  • https://www.historicfortbayard.org/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bayard_Historic_District
Fort Bayard Historical Site
25a Calle El Centro
Arenas Valley, New Mexico, 88022
United States
32.797182, -108.150485
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Bataan Memorial Park

Santa Clara, New Mexico

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Mexico

New Mexico

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