SWFeral Loc: SWNM

My version of a tour of this old Army post, not the official one. Google can fill you in; my interest in Fort Bayard, besides its rich trail system and endless trail camera possibilities, is capturing the disintegration of its old buildings, some of which were quite splendid in their day.

This was where I walked today. The old townsite has enough paved streets that you can get in a few miles on wet days without having to contend with mud or icy slopes (I sound as if I'm getting old), and there are few other people about. I ended up in mud anyway because I can never stick to pavement, but that's how I got some of these photos, so it was worth it.

This is a photographic departure for me as some of you will recognize: I almost never include human-made structures in my images! I'll get back to normal soon.

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Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

That’s an interesting series. It’s too bad they let it disintegrate like that, and you can bet the government still owns that site.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

It's a National Historic Landmark and is overseen by the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, but that entity is only responsible for the mansions where officers lived and some other important buildings; the smaller homes I believe are owned by the state. As I said this is nothing like the official tour. There is one beautifully preserved and restored mansion as well as a museum, but I didn't get photos of any of that. It was also the site of a famous and successful tuberculosis sanatorium and a veterans hospital. Most of Fort Bayard's history involved fighting and "subduing" the Apache tribes who were not terribly sympathetic to miners settling in the area, and many of the soldiers garrisoned there were African-American, known as Buffalo Soldiers.

johnny1950 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Beautiful collection. The weathered wood is really beautiful and interesting. A lot of character. Nice job
Johnny

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks. I really like the dignity of those abandoned buildings. There is something peaceful about them.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

What an interesting chronicle!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

It's different, isn't it? Thanks for looking.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very nice tour. The stories that place could tell!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Isn't that the truth!

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Thank you for this information. Being that old I’m surprised the buildings are still standing. It’s always interesting to know the history surrounding something like this old fort.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

You're welcome. I'm not sure how accurate my rendition is and it's certainly incomplete.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautiful set. I checked their web site and apparently it was last used in WW I

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

These photos are excellent! Enjoyed!

You should do more of this style/genre.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Very nice and so many photo ops!! I really like the composition of #4!!

Dodie

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

The medical center/nursing home is still in use, though the original building was torn down several years ago and moved. Funny, it's hard to recall exactly where that old hospital stood now. There is a well-written and informative article in the September 2016 issue of New Mexico Magazine about Fort Bayard's history if you want to check it out online.

I have never taken any of the tours or even been in the museum. Years ago I spent more time at the townsite when I attended Al Anon meetings in one of the old mansions. I remember nothing about the meetings but still recall the sense of timeless peacefulness inside that spacious building; I think I spent more time wondering what it was like to live there than paying attention to what was being said. The little houses still had residents then, likely accommodating hospital staff and their families, and the setting seemed idyllic to me. Kids played on the grounds, couples walked, pets wandered. I witnessed a large Siamese cat and a small spotted fawn chasing each other back and forth. I don't recall when those dwellings were cleared out, but it seems a shame (and sadly, some of the felines were apparently left behind because there is now a thriving feral cat population there).