Fort Lowell (Los Ojos, New Mexico) facts for kids

Have you ever heard of a fort that was only around for a few years? Fort Lowell in New Mexico was one such place. It was a small military post built a long time ago to help keep people safe.

What Was Fort Lowell?

Fort Lowell was a military camp that existed from 1866 to 1869. It was first called Camp Plummer. Soldiers lived and worked there. Their main job was to protect the people living in nearby towns.

Where Was Fort Lowell Located?

This fort was located in a beautiful part of New Mexico. It was near a place called Los Ojos, New Mexico. It also helped protect settlements in the area of Tierra Amarilla. These places are in the northern part of New Mexico.

Why Was Fort Lowell Built?

The main reason Fort Lowell was built was to protect settlers. These were people who had moved to the area to build homes and farms. The fort helped keep them safe from the Southern Utes. The Ute people were Native Americans who lived in that region.

Who Lived at Fort Lowell?

The fort was home to soldiers known as "New Mexico volunteers." These were people from New Mexico who chose to serve in the military. Some of their family members still live in the area today.

What Happened to Fort Lowell?

Fort Lowell was not a permanent fort. In 1869, after only three years, it was closed down. The military no longer needed it. The log buildings that made up the fort were sold to people living nearby. Some of the wood from the fort might have been used to build other structures. For example, some wood may have been used for the Gilbert Martinez Barn, which is still standing near the fort's old location.

Images for kids

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  This roadside marker shows where Fort Lowell once stood.