Exploring Historic Fort Stanton

With eager anticipation, I set out 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 ghostly military post, a place that would soon become a part of my own historical journey.

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

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 a laundry. And if that was not enough for the residents, a gymnasium and pool, a fire station, horse stables, and a current (functioning) US post office.  As I wander the path, I glimpse a Merchant Marine Cemetery adorned with rows of white crosses, a haunting and beautiful sight.

Yes, this is the most impressive historical setting of any site in the southwest United States. This grandeur leaves me in awe. Words can't fully express how this place impacted me. I invite you, fellow history enthusiasts and explorers, to experience it yourself and share your thoughts. 

View story video here: FORT STATON