Historic properties in Fort Huachuca National Historic District facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Huachuca National Historic District
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Landmark sign on the Brown Parade Field in the historic district of Fort Huachuca
Location of Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Coordinates	31°33′19″N 110°20′59″W / 31.555357°N 110.349754°W / 31.555357; -110.349754
Type	Army Post

This article shares pictures and information about the historic buildings and places at the Fort Huachuca National Historic District in Arizona. This area is also known as Old Fort Huachuca. It's part of a working United States Army base called Fort Huachuca. This fort is located at the bottom of the Huachuca Mountains. It's about four miles west of Sierra Vista, a town in Cochise County.

Fort Huachuca played a big role in the Apache Wars. General Nelson A. Miles used it as his main base. This was until Geronimo, a famous Apache leader, surrendered in 1886. Later, in 1913, the fort became home to the 10th Cavalry Regiment. These soldiers were African Americans, known as the "Buffalo Soldiers." General John Pershing also used the fort. From 1916 to 1917, it was his supply base during his mission against Pancho Villa. Colonel Charles Young, the first African American to reach that rank, once commanded the fort. Fort Huachuca was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1977. This means it's a very important historical site.

Fort Huachuca's Early History

Long, long ago, about 13,000 years ago, a group of people called the Clovis lived here. They were hunters who chased huge animals like mammoths. Experts say that different Native American tribes lived in this area since about AD/CE. These tribes included the Hohokam, Mogollon, and Trincheras. We even found Apache drawings from the 1700s here!

In 1540, a Spanish explorer named Francisco Vázquez de Coronado came through this area. He was looking for famous "Seven Cities of Cibola." People thought these cities were made of gold! But it turned out to be just a myth. Coronado and his men were the first Europeans to explore this land.

Later, in 1699, Father Kino visited. He was a Jesuit missionary, explorer, and mapmaker. Father Kino set up many missions in the Southwest.

In 1821, this area became part of Mexico. This happened after Mexico won its freedom from Spain. Then, in 1854, it became part of the United States as the New Mexico Territory. Finally, in 1863, Arizona became an official U.S. territory. This was thanks to the Gadsden Purchase.

How Camp Huachuca Began

Geronimo, a Chiricahua Apache leader

General Nelson A. Miles

When gold was found in California, many people from the eastern U.S. moved west. Some settled in Arizona. They created travel paths near where Fort Huachuca is today. But these early settlers and travelers faced constant attacks. The Chiricahua Apaches would attack and then escape into Mexico. They used routes through the San Pedro and Santa Cruz valleys.

Geronimo was a brave Chiricahua Apache leader. He fought during the Apache Wars. One day, when Geronimo was 28, he was away from his camp. When he returned, he found many women and children had been killed. This included his mother, wife, and three children. This terrible event made him decide to fight against those who wanted to control Apache lands.

In February 1877, Colonel August V. Kautz ordered a camp to be built. It was set up in the Huachuca Mountains. The Native Americans named these mountains "place of thunder." This camp was called Camp Huachuca. In 1882, it officially became a fort and was renamed Fort Huachuca.

In 1886, General Nelson A. Miles made Fort Huachuca his main base. It was a key supply point for the mission to capture Geronimo. Miles took over from General George Crook. Miles used white troops to track Geronimo. They traveled over 3,000 miles (4,800 km) but couldn't find him. First Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood knew a lot about Apache ways. He managed to talk Geronimo into surrendering. Geronimo and his followers agreed to live on a reservation in Florida for two years. But Geronimo didn't know the real plan. The U.S. Army never intended to let them return home. Even Chiricahua Apaches who had helped the army were sent away. Miles didn't give Gatewood any credit for the surrender. He even had him moved to the Dakota Territory.

The Famous Buffalo Soldiers

The 10th Cavalry Regiment, known as "Buffalo Soldiers"

Pancho Villa, a Mexican revolutionary

Even after Geronimo surrendered, there were still problems. There were other Native American groups, Mexican bandits, and American outlaws. In 1913, Fort Huachuca became the home base for the 10th Cavalry Regiment. These were the "Buffalo Soldiers," made up of African American soldiers. They kept fighting the Apaches even after 1886. A group of 10th Cavalry soldiers fought one of their last Apache battles near Globe. This was at the Salt River on March 7, 1890. After this battle, Sergeant William McBryar received the Medal of Honor for his bravery.

General John Pershing used Fort Huachuca as a supply base. This was from 1916 to 1917. He was on a mission to capture Pancho Villa and his men in Mexico. Pershing sent the 10th Cavalry to chase Villa. Major Charles Young, an African American officer, led a group of the 10th Cavalry. They went into Mexico during this "Punitive Expedition." In Mexico, they faced local people who supported Villa. Mexican officials didn't want Villa to be captured by Americans. So, they gave misleading information. This caused Pershing's mission to fail.

When he returned from Mexico, Lieutenant Colonel Young started a school. It was for African American enlisted men at Fort Huachuca. He believed future wars were coming. He wanted men of his race to be ready for officer training. Young was the first African American to become a colonel. In September 1916, he became the commander of Fort Huachuca.

The Old Post Cemetery

The historic Old Post Cemetery was first started in 1877. It was moved to its current spot on May 18, 1883. Many soldiers who died during the Apache Wars are buried here. This includes Apache Scouts and their families. More than 4,124 U.S. military people are buried in this cemetery.

Among those buried are Apache Scout Shorten Bread. He was one of General George Crook's scouts who helped track Geronimo. His son, Shorten Bread Jr., is also buried there. Miss Carrie A. Clark, who was the postmistress, rests here too. Colonel Louis A. Carter is also buried in the cemetery. He was the only African American chaplain to serve with all four black regiments of the Regular Army. Carter was the second African American Army chaplain to become a colonel. He served at Fort Huachuca as post chaplain from 1913 to 1915 and again from 1935 to 1940.

There are some unmarked graves outside the cemetery wall. People who committed crimes were not allowed to be buried inside the cemetery itself. A bronze statue called "Mourning Hearts, A Soldier's Family" is inside the cemetery. Jessica McCain created it, and the Huachuca Museum Society presented it in 1996. The statue shows a woman and children sad about losing their husband. Gravestones are in the background. The cemetery is 7.3 acres big and is located at 104 Burt Road.

Fort Huachuca Today

The historic district is still part of Fort Huachuca. It's an active United States Army base. The U.S. Army Installation Management Command runs it. This historic area was named a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Historic Buildings and Places

John J. Pershing, a famous U.S. Army general

Here are some of the important historic buildings and items you can see at Fort Huachuca:

• The Pershing House – This house was built in 1884. General John J. Pershing stayed here in 1922. The house is named in his honor.
• The Original Fort Headquarters – Built in 1880, this building is now the Fort Huachuca Museum. The museum opened in 1960. It collects and shows items that tell the story of the fort and military history in the Southwest.
• The Old Post Barracks – These buildings were built in 1883. They were designed as double barracks, meaning two groups of soldiers could live in each. Today, these four buildings are used as offices. Each is named after a cavalry unit that was once stationed at Fort Huachuca. Their names are: 6th Cavalry Hall, 4th Cavalry Hall, 10th Cavalry Hall, and 5th Cavalry Hall.
• The Leonard Wood Hall – Built in 1885, this large two-story building was once the hospital. It was named after Major General Leonard Wood. He received the Medal of Honor and was the Chief of Staff of the Army from 1910 to 1914.
• The Ordnance Warehouse – This building was constructed in 1882. In the 1930s, it was a shoe repair shop owned by Salvador Sepulveda.
• The Hangman's Warehouse – Built in 1880, this warehouse is mostly remembered for a sad event. Two murderers were executed here in the 1940s.
• Rodney Hall – Built in 1917, this building is now the headquarters for Military Intelligence. Colonel George B. Rodney was the first person to live here. He once commanded Fort Huachuca. Rodney was supposed to lead the 10th Cavalry during World War I.
• Sam Kee Hall – This building was constructed in 1885. Today, it's used by a headquarters staff. It's named after Sam Kee, who opened a store on the post in 1881.
• The Buffalo Soldier Legacy Plaza – This special plaza was dedicated on April 23, 2009. It honors the brave Buffalo Soldiers.
• A Parrott Rifle – This is an 1861 cannon, also called the "Parrott Gun." It's on the Brown Parade Field. This type of cannon was used during the Apache Wars.
• The Old Fort Cemetery – This cemetery was started in 1877. The first person buried there was Private F.P. Kelly, who died on December 22, 1877. Colonel Louis A. Carter, the only African American chaplain to serve with all four black regiments, is buried here.
• The Mourning Hearts Statue – This statue was dedicated in 1996. It honors the wives who lost their husbands while they were serving in the military.

See also

• Sierra Vista, Arizona
• Fort Tyson
• Fort Huachuca
• Fort Lowell
• Fort Whipple