Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Dec. 21, 2024

I stopped here as it was near the Chiricahua monument and was surprised by the history of the location. The only way to the fort ruins is by a 1.5 mile trail, although there is disabled parking closer. The trail had signs detailing how it was Apache land, became a stage/mail route along the Apache pass and then led to decades of war. Cochise and his clan were falsely accused of kidnapping a child and taken prisoner. He escaped and tried to negotiate the release of his family to no avail. It ended with all captives executed and tensions at an all time high between the US Calvary and the tribe. The US built an expansive fort for fighting the Apache which lasted for over 25 years and resulted in the remaining natives relocated or on the run. Geronimo was one of the warriors that resisted and fled to continue the battle. The foundations and a few walls remain from the buildings.