Fort Craig National Historic Site

Fort Craig was established in 1854. Its original purpose was not only to safeguard travelers, but also to protect settlers from the Apache, Navajo and Comanche in the area who opposed the flood of new arrivals.

For thirty years, the troops at Fort Craig protected those journeying along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the 1600-mile trade route between Mexico City and New Mexico’s San Juan Pueblo (now called Ohkay Owingeh). But today, these walls are the only things left to stand sentry. The troops have long since gone, although a flag still billows in the wind.

In 1862, 4000 troops were stationed here, 35 miles south of Socorro. After the Civil War broke out, Fort Craig’s role became even more significant. Hundreds of volunteers joined Union troops to improve Fort Craig, so it could withstand the approaching Confederate soldiers.

The two sides fought at the Battle of Valverde, which took place several miles from the fort. Colonel Edward R. S. Canby led the Union soldiers and General Henry Hopkins Sibley commanded the Confederate troops. Although Fort Craig was unharmed in the conflict, the Confederate soldiers won the battle and continued to advance north. General Sibley and his men were eventually beaten at Glorieta Pass. After the Civil War, those stationed at Fort Craig returned to fighting the Apaches.

Fort Craig may have survived warfare, but it was finally rendered useless by the arrival of the railroad. People no longer had to trek along El Camino Real to transport goods. In 1885, Fort Craig was abandoned.