Fort Apache Historic Park facts for kids

Fort Apache and Theodore Roosevelt School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
The former 1876 adjutant's office, now the Fort Apache Post Office
Location in Arizona Show map of Arizona Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Fort Apache Indian Reservation, Gila County, Arizona, US
Nearest city	Fort Apache, Arizona
Area	293 acres (119 ha)
NRHP reference No.	76000377
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 14, 1976
Designated NHLD	March 2, 2012

Fort Apache Historic Park is a special place for the White Mountain Apache people. Its Apache name is Tł’óghagai. This park is located where the old Fort Apache used to be, on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. It helps us understand the interesting and sometimes difficult history between the Apache and other Native American tribes who lived near the fort. After its military days, the fort became a boarding school run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The park covers about 288 acres, including the old fort, the school, and a military cemetery. Together, these areas are known as the National Historic Landmark Fort Apache and Theodore Roosevelt School historic district.

Exploring Fort Apache's Past

Fort Apache in 1873, showing its early layout.

Fort Apache is found in the southern part of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. It's about 4 miles south of Whiteriver, which is the reservation's main town. You can find it just east of Arizona State Route 73. The park has 27 historic buildings, some ruins, and the old parade ground. The White Mountain Apache Cultural Center, called Nohwike’ Bágowa (House of Our Footprints) in Apache, is also here.

How Fort Apache Began

The fort was first set up in 1870 as a temporary army camp. It was built at the end of a military road that went into Apache lands. The army's goal was to keep an eye on the Coyotero Apaches. The camp had a few different names at first, like Camp Ord and Camp Apache. In 1873, it became a permanent base. By 1879, it was officially named Fort Apache.

Life at the Fort

The fort became a permanent military base around 1880. It played a very important part in the Indian Wars of the late 1800s. At first, it helped the army control the area. Later, Apache people were recruited from the fort to serve as scouts. They helped in conflicts with other tribes. African-American soldiers, known as Buffalo Soldiers, were also stationed here.

Only a few buildings from the fort's early years are still standing. These include a log cabin that was once the commandant's (commanding officer's) home. There's also an old guardhouse and an office for the adjutant (a military assistant). Other buildings, like barracks and living quarters from the 1880s and 1890s, can still be seen today.

From Fort to School

By 1923, the fort was no longer needed by the military. The property was then given to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The BIA started the Theodore Roosevelt School on the site. This school was a boarding school, meaning students lived there. It provided education for several Native tribes in the area.

Even though the school was on Apache land, it mainly taught Navajo youth. The BIA's idea was to send children away from their homes. They wanted to teach them new ways of life that were not traditional Native customs. Many tribes did not like this practice.

The School Today

During the time it was a boarding school, many new buildings were added. These included a cafeteria, more dormitories (places for students to sleep), and maintenance buildings. Many of these buildings are still here. Today, the White Mountain Apache Tribe uses them for different purposes. A tribal school with the same name still operates in some of the original buildings.

Buildings That Tell Stories

Here are some of the historic buildings and ruins you can see at Fort Apache. Each one has a story from the past.

• The First Commanding Officer's Quarters (also called "General Crook's Cabin") – built in 1871.
• The Commanding Officer's Quarters – built in 1892.
• The Captain's Quarters (102) – built in 1891.
• The Captain's Quarters (103) – built in 1891.
• The Officer's Quarters – built in 1883.
• The Girl's Dormitory – This was a dormitory for Native-American girls, built in 1931. It stands where the Fort's hospital once was.
• The Boy's Dormitory – This was a dormitory for Native-American boys, built in 1932.
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs Club House – built in 1930.
• The Theodore Roosevelt School – built in 1923.
• The Theodore Roosevelt School Cafeteria – built in 1948.
• The Barracks ruins – These are the remains of soldiers' living quarters, built in the 1880s.
• Fort ruins – These are other ruins from the fort, dating back to the 1880s.

See also

• List of National Historic Landmarks in Arizona
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Navajo County, Arizona