Overview:

The Fort Union National Monument in Mexico is located in the state of Chihuahua and is a U.S. National Monument dedicated to the site of the first American military presence in Mexico in 1854. The site is located on a small mesa overlooking the Rio Grande about four miles south of the town of Palomas, Mexico. The fort was built during the Mexican-American war in an effort to assert American protection of its citizens then living in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It was also intended to serve as a base camp to protect travelers along the international border. Fort Union was one of several forts constructed along the international border. Although the fort was eventually abandoned in 1883, its ruins still stand to this day, providing a window into life on the border in the mid-19th century. The site is managed by the National Park Service as part of the American Southwest Borders network. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Mexico
Prominent Features:

1. Adobe ruins and partial reconstruction of the original Fort Union: Built in 1851 by Colonel Napoléon Bonaparte Van Vliet and established by General Stephen Watts Kearny as the second and largest fortified post in the New Mexico Territory, Fort Union stands as the most complete example of historic military architecture in the Southwest. Visitors will find remnants of the original adobe walls, a partial reconstruction of the fort’s exterior adobe walls, and preserved foundations. 2. Museum and visitor center: The museum and visitor center at Fort Union provides information about the fort’s history, culture, and exhibits on how it lived and operated. Visitors can find information on the land, plants and animals, language, and culture of the area. 3. Nature trails: Fort Union National Monument also provides visitors with 20 miles of hiking trails that traverse the rolling terrain and offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. The trails are home to many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. 4. Visitor programs: Fort Union National Monument offers educational events, workshops, and programs throughout the year. Programs include presentations by expert speakers and guided walks. 5. Picnic areas and campgrounds: There are several picnic areas and campgrounds located within Fort Union National Monument, with group and individual sites available. 6. Ojito Spring: One of the highlights of Fort Union National Monument is the Ojito Spring, where visitors can take a break for a picnic and observe the abundant wildlife. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Mexico.

History:

, New Mexico Fort Union National Monument is located in northern New Mexico's Raton Basin near the city of Watrous, approximately 30 miles east of Las Vegas. This site contains the remains of a original outpost of the United States Army, established in 1851, that served as a supply depot for posts within hundreds of miles across the Southwest until it was closed in 1891. Fort Union was established to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, to secure safe passage for travelers crossing the plains, and support military operations against the Navajo, Ute, and Apache nations. The fort was named after Union Major General J.H. Kearney. The fort was part of a network of the U.S. Army's forts throughout the Southwestern borderlands. The single- and double-story adobe buildings were connected by a continuous wall. In 1854, a major renovation of the fort was initiated under the direction of Lieutenant Thomas E. Tays. The stone wall and many of the buildings still standing today were part of this project. For many years Fort Union was the largest supply base in the Southwest. All troops in the region were supplied with equipment, clothing, ammunition, and food from the fort. It was also the site of the famed quartermaster Colonel Henry C. Semple, who was credited with the development of modern provision stores for the army. During the Civil War, Fort Union served for a short time as a Confederate outpost. But after the war, it resumed its operations as an U.S. Army supply depot until it closed in 1891. The fort was declared a National Monument in 1954 and is now part of a National Historic Landmark District. Today, visitors to Fort Union National Monument can hike the trails and explore the ruins of this 19th-century frontier outpost. Interpretive staff members are on site to share stories and answer questions about the history and culture of the area. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the fort and explore a reconstructed supply store and officers' quarters. Visit one of the famous monuments of Mexico with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico was constructed in 1851 and served as a major supply point for military posts spread across the Southwest from 1851 to 1891. 2. During the Civil War, Fort Union was the Union's most important supply depot in the West and was home to the legendary "Worst Buffalo Soldiers" - Company C. 3. Before the arrival of Europeans, Fort Union was located within the ancestral homeland of the Jicarilla Apache, the Tiwa and Tano Indians, and the Ute Nation. 4. Today the National Monument features one of the most complete and best-preserved examples of a U.S. military post from the Indian Wars period. 5. Fort Union National Monument boasts approximately one million acres for visitors to explore, with trails, historic buildings, and breathtaking views of the Valle Grande. 6. Since Native Americans used the area for hunting and trading purposes long before it became a fort, the National Monument offers several programs related to Native American history and culture. 7. In 2000, Fort Union National Monument was designated an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. One of the historical monuments of Mexico, it tells the story of a bygone era