Fort Union National Monument New Mexico

Fort Union is a charming historical spot full of wilderness and scenic outlooks. The Fort was established in 1851 by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin V. Sumer and is located in Mora County, New Mexico. Fort Union was once the largest United States military base on the Southwest front of the country and consists of three main forts. The fort was constructed of brick, adobe, and stone and had a grand foundation that marked its strength and beauty. The third fort was strategically built between two main branches of the Santa Fe Trail in order to protect travelers and merchandize from Native American attacks on the trail. Fort Union was originally designed to accommodate four companies of troops. The entire Fort Union grounds consists of officer quarters, commander's homes, storehouses, basements, mechanic's corral, a stockade and the Fort Union Hospital. Fort Union National Monument occupies 721 acres of land.

There are various special programs held at the Fort Union Visitor Center year round. Talks and demonstrations are sometimes offered by volunteers who reenact the living history of what it was like to partake in culture and life in Fort Union. During the month of August, the monument has a night called "An Evening in Fort Union" in which visitors are allowed to take an evening walk through the vacant ruins of Fort Union.

The Visitors Center has numerous exhibits and facilities for those interested in becoming more knowledgeable about the fort. The exhibits detail the construction of the fort, give information about the Civil War that occurred in New Mexico, and offer insights on the Santa Fe Trail. The Visitors Center also has an area where historical paraphernalia, that pertains to the history of the fort, is sold. A wide selection of books on western, military, and New Mexico history are sold in the Visitors Center. Picnic tables are also located on the grounds of the Fort creating a popular outdoor destination for local residents who want to have natural entertainment in an area brimming with history.

Visitors to the fort can embark on a self-guided tour. The self-guided walking tour is complete with electronic narrations at each stop. The Fort is decorated with plaques placed in strategic places to give the visitor information so that they can have an idea of what life was like for the person stationed in that particular room. Fort Union is popular among tourists in New Mexico and over 13,000 people visit the ruins on an annual basis. The fort wasn't established as a national monument until April, 1956. Today, that National Park Service preserves the ruins of the three forts that were constructed to guard the Santa Fe Trail. Fort Union National Monument is open year round to the public with the exception of major holidays like Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving. An entry fee of $3 is charged for adults 16 years and older and visitors can purchase a $10 pass that will allow them access to the monument year round.