Historical Marker

Fort Union National Monument, 1851–1891 (2)

Historical marker location:

I-25, Watrous vicinity, New Mexico

( at I-25 northbound rest area)

Once the largest post in the Southwest, Fort Union was established to control the Jicarilla Apaches and Utes, to protect the Santa Fe Trail, and to serve as a supply depot for other New Mexico forts. The arrival of the railroad and the pacification of the region led to its abandonment in 1891.