Exploring 10 Abandoned Military Bases of NEW MEXICO

hello and welcome to the ghost town Chronicles today we continue our exploration across the United States let's discover 10 abandoned military bases of New Mexico don't forget to leave a like And subscribe to help us continue making these series number one fort Stanton Lincoln County Fort Stanton located in Lincoln County New Mexico is a historic site with a rich and varied history that spans over 100 60 years established in 1855 by the United States Army it was initially built to protect settlers from Apache raids during the turbulent times of the American frontier throughout its operational history Fort Stanton served multiple roles Beyond its military Origins it acted as a military Outpost a tuberculosis sanatorium a Civilian Conservation core Camp during the Great Depression and even as an internment camp for German seamen during World War II after the war it continued to serve various functions including a hospital for the developmentally disabled the fort is notable for its well-preserved architecture reflecting military construction styles of the 19th century and its role in Regional and National History including its association with the Lincoln County War a famous conflict that involved figures such as Billy the Kid decommissioned as a military Post in the late 19th century Fort Stanton's diverse uses over the years reflect changes in American society and government policy today it is managed as a state Historic Site offering visitors a glimpse into its multifaceted past through Museum exhibits restored buildings and guided tours number two Walker Air Force Base Roswell originally opened in 1941 as Roswell Army Airfield it played a pivotal role during World War II as a training base for bommer Crews primarily for b29 super fortresses after the war the base was renamed Walker Air Force Base in honor of General Kenneth Newton Walker a World War II bomber commander who was awarded the Medal of Honor postumus during the Cold War Walker AFB became a strategic part of the United States defense strategy hosting the Strategic Air command's bomber units and later intercontinental ballistic missiles an interesting and lesser-known aspect of Walker Air Force Base is its connection to the early days of the US space program and nuclear testing the base was involved in the testing and development of nuclear weapons playing a role in operation Crossroads which tested nuclear bombs at bikini ATL this involvement in nuclear research and testing made it a critical but secretive location during its operational years additionally Walker is located near Roswell a city famous for the 1947 Roswell UFO incident while the base itself is not directly linked to the incident its proximity to the event and its role in post World War II military and Aerospace activities have fueled speculation and interest in its operations the base was closed in 1967 as part of a broader effort to reduce military spending following its closure the former base was repurposed for civilian use and is now home to the Roswell International Air Center a facility that supports commercial Aviation and Aerospace testing along with being a significant storage site for retired aircraft number three wh Sand's Missile Range located in Southern New Mexico is the largest military installation in the United States it was established in 1945 shortly after World War II primarily as a testing ground for rockets and later for missile technology playing a crucial role in the development of the US space and missile programs one of the most significant events in wh Sand's missile ranges history is the testing of the world's first atomic bomb code named Trinity on July 16th 1945 this test marked the dawn of the nuclear age and was a pivotal moment in history leading to the eventual end of World War II after the bombings of hirosima and Nagasaki it is also known for its connection to early space exploration it was here that the US tested its early Rock rockets and missile technology contributing to the development of the technology that would eventually send humans to space Werner Fon Brown and his team conducted numerous V2 rocket tests at White Sands laying the groundwork for future space flights in 1947 a V2 rocket carrying a biological experiment with fruit flies the first living organism sent into space accidentally veered off course course and landed south of the Mexican border this incident highlighted the challenges of early rocket testing but also marked the first time living creatures returned alive from space Paving the way for human space flight while still partially active it has several abandoned sections and historical test sites including the Trinity site number four Fort Bayard Silver City established by the US Army in 1866 the fort's primary purpose was to protect settlers and miners in the region from Apache raids during the Indian Wars over the years Fort Bayard played various roles reflecting the changing needs and challenges of the country it played a significant role in medical advancements particularly in the treatment of tuberculosis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the fort was repurposed as a military sanatorium capitalizing on the Region's dry climate which was considered beneficial for the treatment of respiratory diseases this marked a pivotal shift in the fort's function from a military Outpost to a medical facility Fort Bayard was at the Forefront of treating tuberculosis patients and became a leading Center for research and treatment of the disease the facility was one of the first to employ occupational therapy and a holistic approach to Patient Care which contributed to the development of modern respiratory disease treatment methods another interesting fact about Fort Bay is its connection to African-American history Buffalo Soldiers African-American troops primarily from the 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments were stationed at the Fort these soldiers played a critical role in the Indian Wars and in protecting the southwestern Frontier their presence at Fort Bayard is a testament to the diverse History of the United States military and its early efforts to integrate African-American soldiers into its ranks Fort Bayard also holds the distinction of having a Medal of Honor recipient private Clinton Greaves of the ninth Cavalry who was recognized for his bravery during an engagement with Apache Warriors in 1879 after serving as a military Hospital Fort Bayard continued its medical Legacy into the 20th century eventually becoming a state Veteran's Home and hospital before its operations were moved to a new facility nearby today the Historic Site of Fort Bayard is a National Historic Landmark with preserved buildings and a cemetery number five Fort Union Fort Union located in northeastern New Mexico was a significant Outpost of the United States Army from 1851 to 1891 it played a crucial role in the military and economic expansion of the American West serving as a guardian of the Santa Fe Trail a major Commercial and Military artery during the 19th century one of the Lesser known facts about for Fort Union is its role in the American Civil War despite its remote location the fort was strategically important in the Union's efforts to prevent Confederate advances into the Southwest Fort Union served as a base for Union troops during the New Mexico Campaign in 1862 contributing to the defeat of Confederate forces at the Battle of glor atap pass often referred to as the Gettysburg of the West another interesting aspect of Fort Union's history is its architecture the fort underwent three distinct phases of construction reflecting changes in military needs and strategies over time the third and final construction phase resulted in a massive fortification the remains of which are still visible today showcasing the evolution of military fortification designs in the 19th century fort Union was also a hub for cultural exchange and conflict among different communities including Native American tribes hispanic settlers and anglo-americans it was not only a military post but also a Vibrant Community with a complex social life including Traders laborers and families after its closure in 1891 Fort Union gradually fell into disrepair today it is preserved as Fort Union National Monument offering visitors a glimpse into its Rich history through ruins exhibits and guided tours number six Fort Craig Fort Craig located in sakuro County New Mexico was one of the largest and most important military outposts in the American southwest during the mid 19th century established in 1854 it played a pivotal role in the United States efforts to control control the region serving as a base for military campaigns against the Apache and Navajo peoples as well as protecting settlers and travelers on the nearby Camino reel and other Trails one of Fort Craig's most significant moments in history was its involvement in the Civil War particularly during the Battle of Valverde in February 1862 this battle was part of the Confederate attempt M to create a Confederate Arizona territory Union forces from Fort Craig under the command of Colonel Edward RS Canby clashed with confederate troops led by Brigadier General Henry Hopkins sibl just north of the fort despite being a strategic victory for the Confederates their inability to capture Fort Craig itself forced them to continue northward ultimately leading to their defeat in the New Mexico campaign another notable aspect of Fort Craig's history is its role in the development of the camel core the US Army experimented with using camels for transport in the Arid Southwest and Fort Craig was one of the locations where these animals were tested though the camel core was ultimately deemed unsuitable for military purposes it remains a curious footnote in the fort's history Fort Craig was abandoned in 1885 as the frontier moved Westward and the military's Focus shifted from the southwest to other regions today the site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is open to the public for exploration number seven fort suner fort suner located in debaca County New Mexico is best known for its association with the famous Outlaw Billy the Kid established in 1862 during the American Civil War it was originally intended as a military fort to safeguard the region and to manage the Navajo and Mescalero Apachi peoples during and after their forced relocation in the tragic event known as the long walk this period marked a dark chapter in US history with the fort and the Bosque Redondo reservation it oversaw becoming symbols of the hardship and suffering experienced by Native Americans under US policies of the time an interesting fact about Fort suar is its eventual transformation from a military installation into a civilian settlement after it was abandoned by the Army in 1869 the fort's buildings and land were purchased by Lucian Maxwell a prominent figure in New Mexico Co history who converted the area into a ranch it was at Maxwell's property where Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881 which cemented Fort Sumner's place in Wild West lore another intriguing aspect of Fort sumer's history is its connection to the rich cultural heritage of the American southwest serving as a poignant reminder of the complex interactions between native American communities settlers and the US military today Fort suar is a site of historical significance attracting visitors interested in its military past the Bosque Redondo Memorial and the grave of Billy the Kid offering a window into the turbulent times of the American West number eight Fort Seldon Fort Seldon located near Los crus in Southern New Mexico was established in 1865 to protect settlers and travelers in the Milla Valley from Apache raids this fort played a part in the broader network of military installations across the American West during a time of expansion and conflict with Native American tribes one interesting aspect of Fort Seldon is its connection to a famous American Family Douglas MacArthur the future World War 2 General and army Chief of Staff lived at the Fort as a child child when his father Captain Arthur MacArthur was stationed there in the late 19th century this early exposure to military life undoubtedly influenced Douglas MacArthur's future career Fort Seldon was built using Adobe making it representative of the regional architecture and construction methods of the time despite its strategic importance in the late 19th century the fort was abandoned in 1891 as the threat of Apache attacks diminished and the US US Army re-evaluated its Frontier defenses today Fort Seldon is a state Historic Site offering visitors a glimpse into the life of US Army soldiers and their families on the frontier the ruins of the fort have been preserved including the Adobe walls of the officer quarters barracks and other structures number nine Fort Cummings Fort Cummings located in County New Mexico was established in 1863 during the Apache Wars its primary purpose was to protect Travelers and settlers on the nearby Butterfield Overland mail route from Apache attacks positioned near Cook's Canyon a notorious site for Apache ambushes Fort Cummings played a crucial role in the US military's efforts to secure the region a lesser known fact about Fort Cummings is its connection to the famous Apache leader mangas coloradas the fort was near the site where mangas coloradas was captured under a flag of truce by US army forces this event led to his death which further escalated hostilities between the Apache tribes and the United States Fort Cummings was abandoned and reoccupied several times throughout its history reflecting the changing dynamics of military needs and conflicts in the region it was ultimately abandoned for the last time in 1886 as the Apache Wars Drew to a close and the frontier moved Westward today little remains of Fort Cummings the site is marked by ruins and is a point of historical interest for those studying the military and Indigenous history of the American southwest number 10 Fort Union Fort Union located in northeastern New Mexico was established in 1851 as a key military outpost on the Santa Fe Trail playing a crucial role in protecting the trail and serving as a base for military operations against Native American tribes it was the largest military installation in the region during its time and was instrumental in the settlement and development of the American southwest although New Mexico is not commonly associated with Civil War battles Fort Union was a strategic site for Union forces in the west it served as a base for campaigns against Confederate forces that sought to control the Southwest including the pivotal Battle of Glorietta pass in 1862 often referred to as the Gettysburg of the West this battle effectively halted Confederate Westward Expansion Fort Union also played a significant role in the Region's economic and social life it was not just a military Outpost but also a Vibrant Community and a hub for Commerce with a large Depot that supplied numerous smaller forts throughout the Southwest the presence of the fort stimulated local trade and interaction between military personnel Native Americans and settlers another fascinating aspect of Fort Union's history is its architecture the fort underwent several reconstructions with the final version being the largest and most complex the remnants of this last iteration including the large Arsenal quarters and Hospital are preserved today within Fort Union National Monument offering visitors a glimpse into the fort's Strategic importance in daily life despite its significance Fort Union was decommissioned in 1891 as the frontier moved further west and the military's Focus shifted please consider leaving a like and subscribing to the channel see you next time for more ghost town Chronicles

Channel: Ghost Town Chronicles

Views: 18,360

Keywords: Ghost towns, History, Mystery, Time travel, Exploring the past, Urban exploration, Abandoned buildings, Ruins, Haunting memories., Decay, Forgotten landmarks, Nostalgia, Abandoned history, usa, america, education, educational, stories, top 10, most interesting places, us, united states, story, ships, abandoned, chilling, Creepy, history, nostalgia, past, lost, new mexico, billy the kid, abandoned military, military usa, us history, military base, unites states forts, history military, american

Id: QdFC0YCnY70

Length: 20min 7sec (1207 seconds)

Published: Sun Feb 04 2024