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, USA
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, known as Tł’óghagai in the Apache language, is a special place managed by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. It's located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. This park helps us understand the interesting and sometimes difficult history between the Apache people and other Native American tribes, as well as the U.S. military.

The site was once a military fort called Fort Apache. Later, it became a boarding school run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Today, the park covers about 288 acres (117 hectares). This area includes the old fort, the school, and a military cemetery. Together, they are recognized as a National Historic Landmark called Fort Apache and Theodore Roosevelt School.

What is Fort Apache Historic Park?

Fort Apache is located in the southern part of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. It's about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Whiteriver, the reservation's main town. The park has 27 historic buildings, plus ruins of others. It also includes the fort's old parade ground. The White Mountain Apache Cultural Center is found at the western end of the park. In Apache, this center is called Nohwike’ Bágowa, which means "House of Our Footprints."

The Fort's Early Days

The fort started in 1870 as a temporary military camp. Ten years later, it became a permanent base. Fort Apache was very important during the Indian Wars of the late 1800s. At first, it helped the U.S. military control the area. Later, Apache people were recruited from the fort to serve as scouts. They helped in conflicts with other tribes.

Fort Apache was also one of the places where African-American soldiers, known as Buffalo Soldiers, were stationed. Only a few buildings from the fort's early years are still standing. These include a log cabin that was an early commander's home, a guardhouse, and an office. Barracks and other living quarters built in the 1880s and 1890s also remain today.

From Fort to School

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

Even though the school was on Apache land, it was mainly meant to educate Navajo youth. The BIA's idea was to remove children from their reservations. This was done to encourage them to adopt non-Native customs. Many tribes did not like this practice.

During the time it was a boarding school, many new buildings were added. These included a cafeteria, more dorms, and maintenance buildings. Many of these buildings are still there. The White Mountain Apache Tribe now uses them for different purposes. A tribal school with the same name still operates in some of the buildings.

Historic Buildings at Fort Apache

Here are some of the historic buildings and ruins you can see at Fort Apache:

• The First Commanding Officer's Quarters, also called "General Crook's Cabin," was built in 1871.
• The Commanding Officer's Quarters was built in 1892.
• The Captain's Quarters (102) was built in 1891.
• The Captain's Quarters (103) was built in 1891.
• The Officer's Quarters was built in 1883.
• The Girl's Dormitory was a Native-American girl's dormitory built in 1931. It stands where the Fort's hospital once was.
• The Boy's Dormitory was a Native-American boys' dormitory built in 1932.
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs Club House was built in 1930.
• The Theodore Roosevelt School building was built in 1923.
• The Theodore Roosevelt School Cafeteria was built in 1948.
• The Barracks ruins are from buildings constructed in the 1880s.
• Fort ruins are from around the 1880s.

Images for kids

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  Fort Apache in 1873