Fort Bayard

Fort Craig

Fort Cummings

Fort Selden

Fort Stanton

Fort Sumner

Fort Union

In 1851 Fort Union was established almost 100 miles northeast of Santa Fe along and near the junction of the two main branches of the Santa Fe Trail. Part of the mission of troops stationed at Fort Union was to protect that route from Indian raids and warfare, and to keep open the commercial shipping lane from Missouri to Santa Fe. Fort Union served as the Army department's quartermaster depot, distributing much of the food, clothing, transportation and shelter, that arrived via the Santa Fe Trail to as many as 40 other military posts throughout the New Mexico Territory. This made Fort Union the hub of military freighting in the Southwest, an activity that also employed many civilians and helped to support the local economy.
Throughout the 1860s and 1870s, troops from Fort Union continued to participate in operations against the Apaches and Navajos. The supply depot continued to flourish until 1879 when the Santa Fe Railroad replaced the Santa Fe Trail as the principle avenue of commerce. By 1891 the Fort lost its military importance and commercial usefulness and was abandoned.

Fort Union National Monument was established in 1954 under the direction of the National Park Service. The Monument and Santa Fe National Historic Trail are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day and 8:00am. to 6:00pm. Memorial Day to Labor Day. Travelers on Interstate 25, use exit 366. Follow the signs for 8 miles on SR161. For further information call (505) 425-8025 or click here.