National Register Listing

Fort Bayard Historic District

0.5 mi. N of jct. of US 180 and NM 152, Santa Clara, NM

The Fort Bayard Historic District is significant for its role in military history, exploration and settlement, and health and medicine.

During the 99 years spanning its establishment as a fort in 1866 through its closing as a Veterans Administration hospital in 1965, Fort Bayard served as the most prominent evidence of the federal government's role in the development of southwestern New Mexico. From 1866 to 1899 it functioned as an Army post during which period its soldiers, many of them African-American, or Buffalo Soldiers, protected settlers working in nearby mining districts and participated in the final campaigns of the Apache wars. In 1899 the facility became the Army's first tuberculosis sanatorium. Serving in that capacity for 21 years, Fort Bayard, with its high, dry setting, became nationally known for the climatological therapy it provided its patients, as well as its staff's research to develop efficient methods of screening large numbers of individuals for the dreaded disease. It was transferred to the United States Public Health Service in 1920 and then to the Veterans Bureau in 1922 when a modern hospital replaced the multiple ward system of the earlier sanatorium. It continued to serve veterans with pulmonary ailments until 1965 when the federal government closed the hospital, transferring the facility to the State of New Mexico. Although many of the buildings of the first two periods no longer stand, Fort Bayard is significant not only for the role it played as a military post in fostering early settlement in the region, but for its role as a nationally prominent tuberculosis sanatorium and hospital. Its built environment, as described in Section 7, is significant for presenting a well-preserved example of the planning patterns and architectural styles of the building types associated with sanatorium construction during the early decades of the twentieth century, and especially with the post-1922 period, as the emphasis shifted from climatological treatment using dispersed open air wards to the centralized operation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau's sanatorium complex in 1922. The sites are also significant for their historic association with military training and the efforts of the sanatorium to achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency as a part of its mission to restore the health of its tuberculosis patients. For these reasons, the Fort Bayard Historic District is nominated at the state level of significance under Criterion A in the areas of Military, Exploration/Settlement, and Health/Medicine, and under Criterion C, in the area of Architecture.
Local significance of the district:
Military; Exploration/settlement; Health/medicine; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of New Mexico.
The state has a rich tradition of cowboy culture and rodeo, with many annual events celebrating this heritage. One of the most famous is the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which features hundreds of hot air balloons and draws thousands of visitors each year.
New Mexico random facts
Grant County, New Mexico has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, such as the Mimbres and the Warm Springs Apache, who left behind an archaeological legacy of intricate pottery and rock art. However, European exploration began in the 16th century with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, who were searching for gold and silver in the area.

In the 1800s, Grant County played a significant role in the wild west era. Miners flocked to the region in search of silver, gold, and copper deposits, leading to the establishment of numerous mining towns. The discovery of large copper reserves in the early 1870s brought prosperity and growth to the area. Santa Rita, once a small mining camp, became home to the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, employing thousands of workers and transforming the county's economic landscape.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw Grant County transitioning from a mining-based economy to a more diversified one. Railroads expanded into the region, linking Grant County's mining towns and facilitating the transportation of goods and people. The county's agricultural industry also began to flourish with the cultivation of apples, peaches, and wine grapes. Additionally, tourism became an important economic driver, attracting visitors to the area's natural beauty, including the Gila National Forest and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Despite the decline of mining in later years, Grant County has maintained its agricultural and tourism industries, while also exploring alternative economic opportunities such as renewable energy projects. Today, the county's rich history is preserved and celebrated through various museums and cultural events, showcasing the enduring legacy of the Native American inhabitants, the mining boom, and the resilience of the communities that call Grant County home.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Grant County, New Mexico.

  • 1803: The Louisiana Purchase gives the United States control over the area that would later become Grant County.
  • 1820s: Mexican settlers begin to establish ranches and mines in the region.
  • 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War, and Grant County becomes part of the United States.
  • 1860s: Silver mining booms in the region, leading to the establishment of several mining towns including Pinos Altos and Georgetown.
  • 1868: Grant County is officially established by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature.
  • 1870s: The arrival of the railroad boosts mining activity and population growth in the county.
  • 1893: The Panic of 1893 causes a decline in silver prices and leads to a decline in mining activity in Grant County.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression further impacts mining in the county, but other industries like ranching and tourism help sustain the economy.
  • 1960s: The creation of the Gila National Forest provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and conservation in Grant County.
  • 1990s: Grant County experiences an economic shift with the closure of the last remaining copper mines.
  • Present: Grant County continues to rely on a diverse economy, including tourism, agriculture, and small businesses.