Fort Craig

Only four miles of washboard dirt road makes Fort Craig easily assessable by western standards. Established in 1854 on the El Camino Royale in the Rio Grande River valley after the Mexican-American War Fort Craig remained an important post until 1885.

The Commandant's quarters.

Looking into one of the commissary buildings.

Scenic view from a guard bastion. You have to wonder how long it took to get tired of scenic views? It was much the same in all directions.

Confederate troops moving north from Texas stayed away from Fort Craig but fought with a Union force nearby at Valverde Crossing (Rio Grande). The Rebels held the ground but a detachment of New Mexico Volunteers found their supply wagons and destroyed a large amount of the supplies. The Southeners continued north and were defeated at Glorieta Pass near Santa Fe.