Fort Bowie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Bowie |
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| Apache Pass, Arizona | |
Fort Bowie in 1893.
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| Type | Army fortification |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  Arizona |
| Condition | tourist attraction |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1864 |
| Built by |  United States |
| In use | 1862–1894 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants |  United States Army |
Fort Bowie was an important U.S. Army outpost in the 1800s. It was located in southeastern Arizona, close to where the town of Willcox, Arizona is today. What's left of the fort and its buildings are now a protected area called Fort Bowie National Historic Site.
The fort was built in 1862 by soldiers known as the California Volunteers. This happened after several fights between the California soldiers and the Chiricahua Apache people. The biggest fight was the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862. Fort Bowie was named after Colonel George Washington Bowie, who led the soldiers who first set up the fort.
The first Fort Bowie was more like a temporary camp. But in 1868, a second, stronger fort was built. It had adobe (mud-brick) barracks (places for soldiers to sleep), houses, corrals (for animals), a trading post, and a hospital. This new fort was about 500 yards (457 meters) east of the first one. For over 30 years, Fort Bowie was a key spot for military actions. These actions eventually led to the surrender of the Apache leader Geronimo in 1886. The fort was closed down in 1894.
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Fort Bowie's Story
Fort Bowie was built in 1862 because of two important events between the U.S. Army and the Chiricahua Apache people.
The Bascom Affair
The first event was called the Bascom Affair in January 1861. Some Apache people raided a ranch owned by John Ward. Ward wrongly thought that Cochise, a Chiricahua Apache leader, was responsible. He asked the army to get his stolen property back.
The next month, the army sent Lieutenant George Nicholas Bascom and 54 soldiers to Apache Pass. They wanted to talk to Cochise. Bascom managed to capture Cochise and threatened to hold him until the stolen property was returned. But Cochise escaped. After this, there were many years of fighting between Cochise's warriors and the Army.
The Battle of Apache Pass
The second big event was the Battle of Apache Pass, which took place from July 15 to July 16, 1862. A Union army group, led by Brigadier General James Henry Carleton, was ambushed by Apache warriors. The soldiers were on their way from California to New Mexico to fight Confederate troops.
This battle showed how important Apache Pass was. It also had a vital water source called Apache Spring. Because of this battle, the army decided to build Fort Bowie to protect the pass and the spring.
Building the Fort
Construction on the first Fort Bowie began in 1862. As mentioned, it was more like a temporary camp. In 1868, a second, much stronger Fort Bowie was built. It was located about 500 yards (457 meters) to the east on a higher area.
For more than 30 years, Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were central to military actions. These actions ended with the surrender of Geronimo in 1886. After this, many Chiricahua Apaches were moved to Florida and Alabama. Fort Bowie was finally closed in 1894.
Who Led Fort Bowie?
Here are some of the early commanders of Fort Bowie:
- Major Theodore H. Coult (July 1862 – September 1862)
- Captain Hugh L. Hinds (September 1862 – May 1863)
Soldiers at Fort Bowie
Different groups of soldiers were stationed at Fort Bowie over the years:
- Company G, 5th California Infantry (July 1862 – January 1863)
- Company E, 5th California Infantry (January 1863 – May 1863)
- Company K, 5th California Infantry (May 1864 – September 1864)
- Company L, 1st California Cavalry (June 1865 – January 1866)
- Company L, 1st California Cavalry (March 1866 – April 1866)
Fort Bowie Today
| Fort Bowie National Historic Site | |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Location in Arizona
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cochise County, Arizona, United States |
| Nearest city | Bowie, Arizona |
| Area | 999.45 acres (4.04 km2) |
| Established | July 29, 1972 |
| Visitors | 8,401 (in 2018) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Fort Bowie National Historic Site |
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Fort Bowie and Apache Pass
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| Built | 1862 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000194 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 29, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The Fort Bowie and Apache Pass area was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. This means it's a very important place in American history.
Today, the remains of Fort Bowie are carefully protected. You can still see the adobe walls of many old buildings. You can also see the ruins of a Butterfield Stage Station. This was a stop for mail coaches in the old days.
You can reach the site by taking an unpaved road called Apache Pass Road. This road can be found near Bowie, Arizona from Interstate 10. Or you can get to it from Arizona Highway 186, just north of the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument.
To get to the fort ruins and the visitor center, you need to walk a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail. The trail starts at a parking area along Apache Pass Road. As you walk, you'll pass other historic spots. These include Apache Spring, Siphon Canyon, the ruins of the Butterfield Stage Stop, and Bascom's Camp.
In 1958, a Western movie called Fort Bowie was made. It starred Ben Johnson. The movie showed one of the conflicts between the U.S. Cavalry at the fort and the Apache people.
Gallery
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Images for kids
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Fort Bowie Ranger Station and museum
