Fort Sumner 1862
Fort Sumner, established in 1862, was a military fort located in the New Mexico Territory, specifically designed for the internment of Native American tribes, particularly the Navajo and Mescalero Apache. The fort was named in honor of General Edwin Vose Sumner, who commanded the 9th Military District.
On October 31, 1862, Congress authorized the construction of Fort Sumner under the command of General James Henry Carleton.
Officially, the fort's primary purpose was to provide protection for settlers in the Pecos River valley from various Native American tribes, including the Mescalero Apache, Kiowa, and Comanche.
Carleton also initiated the creation of the Bosque Redondo reservation, a vast area of approximately 1,600 square miles where over 9,000 Navajo and Mescalero Apache were forcibly relocated due to accusations of raiding white settlements.
The Bosque Redondo reservation was intended to transform these tribes into agricultural communities through irrigation from the Pecos River. However, the conditions were harsh and unproductive, leading to significant suffering among the interned populations. The forced assembly of diverse tribes that historically had conflicts with each other resulted in further tensions and strife within the reservation.
The fort served not only as a military installation but also as a supply depot for operations against Native American tribes. General Carleton's campaigns against the Mescalero Apache and Navajo were characterized by aggressive tactics, including orders given to Kit Carson to kill male warriors and capture women and children for relocation to Fort Sumner.
Fort Sumner operated from 1862 until its closure in 1868 after the Navajo were removed from Bosque Redondo. The fort was abandoned on August 30, 1869, as military presence dwindled. Subsequently, it evolved into a civilian community when rancher Lucien Maxwell purchased the site in 1870 and transformed it into a thriving ranch community.
Fort Sumner Today
For tourists interested in visiting Fort Sumner, New Mexico, the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic
Site is a key attraction. Here are some details for planning your visit:
Hours of Operation:
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Admission Fees:
$7 for adults; free for children 16 years and younger, Diné and Ndé people, Foster Families,
and Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members. New Mexico residents can enter for free on the first Sunday of
each month with ID.
Location:
3647 Billy the Kid Drive, Fort Sumner, NM 88119.
The memorial provides insights into the history of the Navajo and Mescalero Apache peoples during their
internment at Bosque Redondo.
Visitors can enjoy an interpretive trail and river walk, along with a museum shop and picnic areas.
The site also features the gravesite of Billy the Kid, which is nearby and open to visitors without charge.
For more details on planning your visit, you can check the official website of the New Mexico Historic Sites:
Bosque Redondo Memorial
