Fort Apache Historic Park, AZ

Today, we visited the Fort Apache Historic Park located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. This reservation is home to the federally recognized White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation.

We took Highway 60 through Pinetop-Lakeside then south to the Fort Apache Historic Park. This drive took us through some lovely countryside, including part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. I could live in this area, with its mountainous landscapes, rivers and streams, and wide variety of foliage and wildlife!

Once we arrived at the Fort Apache Historic Park, we went into the Museum, paid the modest admission fee of $5 each, and watched a short video about the Creation Story of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. We also browsed around the exhibits before leaving the museum building to begin our walking tour.

The Fort Apache Historic Park encompasses the original site of the Fort Apache military post constructed between 1874 and 1932. This was a major outpost during the 1861-1886 Apache wars and remained a military post until 1922. In 1923 the fort became the site of the Theodore Roosevelt Indian School and its buildings were turned over to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Today, several buildings continue to stand on the White Mountain Reservation. The Fort Apache post office occupies the adobe adjutant's building. A log building, one of the oldest structures and reputedly the residence of General Crook, as well as the stone officers' quarters, are today the residences of teachers and other Bureau of Indian Affairs employees. Unfortunately, the last standing original barracks, an adobe building, burned in 1984 and lays in ruins. The parade ground provides a recreational area.

Here are a few photos of Fort Apache Historic Park:

Girls Dormitory

Theodore Roosevelt School

Burned Adobe Barracks

Adjutant's Office - Now the Post Office

The Commanding Officer's Quarters

The Captain's Quarters

The First Commanding Officer's Quarters