Pathway To Fort Stanton

With eager anticipation, I embarked on a journey to another historic gem in the southwest United States. The drive along the Bonito River on the Billy The Kid Trail is remote; my heart raced as I turned left onto the sprawling military post, a place that would soon become a part of my own historical journey.

Boondocked south of the Captian Mountains, Fort Stanton in New Mexico, a testament to history, stands today with 88 buildings that date back to 1855. As I dismount from my trusty steel horse, I'm captivated by the intricate details of the architecture, location, and each building a masterpiece in its own right.  It's worth noting that this Fort was intentionally isolated, with no actual settlements for miles around, adding to its unique charm. After researching the location more, I discovered that in 1899, the US Public Health Service used it for Tuberculosis patients that housed hundreds of Merchant Marines. Many died at the Fort. 

Yes, this is the most impressive historical setting of any site in the southwest United States, a grandeur that leaves me in awe.

The Fort is a unique blend of officers' quarters and barracks, a hospital and morgue, nurses' quarters, a guardhouse, a dining hall, a chapel, a power plant and laundry, a gymnasium and pool, a fire station, horse stables, and a current (functioning) US post office.  As I wander the path, I glimps a Merchant Marine Cemetery adorned with rows of white crosses, a haunting and beautiful sight.

Words fail to capture the essence of this place. I extend a heartfelt invitation to you, fellow history enthusiasts, to experience it for yourself. Will you answer the call and embark on this historical journey? 

View video here: FORT STATON