Fort Grant, Arizona – Apaches to Prisoners
Nestled at the foot of Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, Fort Grant, Arizona stands as a testament to the shifting tides of history in the American West. From its origins as a military outpost tasked with suppressing Apache raids to its current incarnation as a state prison, the site has witnessed a dramatic transformation. Its story is one of conflict, adaptation, and the enduring presence of human endeavor on a landscape shaped by both natural beauty and harsh realities.
The establishment of Fort Grant, Arizona was directly linked to the challenges posed by the Apache people in the late 19th century. Prior to its construction, the earlier Fort Breckinridge proved inadequate for effectively controlling Apache movements. Recognizing the need for a more strategically advantageous location, General George Crook, a prominent figure in the Indian Wars, selected a site at a higher elevation along a route frequently used by Apaches fleeing the San Carlos Reservation for Mexico. This new location, situated on the southwestern slope of Mount Graham in what is now Graham County, Arizona, offered a commanding view of the surrounding terrain and facilitated the interception of raiding parties.
The primary objective of Fort Grant, Arizona was to curtail the activities of Apache bands operating in western New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. These groups, often driven by desperation and resentment over the loss of their traditional lands, engaged in raids on settlements and supply lines, creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. The fort served as a base of operations for U.S. Army troops tasked with pursuing and subduing these Apache warriors, effectively acting as a bulwark against their incursions.
In January 1873, Major Brown led eleven companies of cavalry and infantry to the newly established Fort Grant, Arizona. Upon arrival, the troops immediately embarked on a construction program to expand the fort’s infrastructure. This included the construction of officers’ quarters, a commissary building to store supplies, and a wagon road leading up the slopes of Mount Graham. These improvements were essential for supporting the military presence and facilitating operations in the rugged terrain.
The soldiers stationed at Fort Grant, Arizona were tasked with a dual mission: intercepting Apaches attempting to escape the San Carlos Reservation and pursuing raiding parties operating along the international boundary with Mexico. This required constant vigilance, patrols, and a willingness to engage in combat. The troops played a significant role in the Apache Wars of the 1880s, a period of intense conflict characterized by skirmishes, ambushes, and prolonged campaigns.
One event that profoundly impacted the history of Fort Grant, Arizona was the Battle of Cibecue in August 1881. Following the battle, three White Mountain Apache scouts – Dead Shot, Dandy Jim, and Skitashe – were court-martialed for their alleged involvement in a mutiny. On March 3, 1882, these three scouts were publicly hanged on a specially constructed gallows on the parade ground of Fort Grant. The execution, witnessed by a large crowd of civilians from the surrounding area, served as a stark reminder of the consequences of defiance and the tensions that simmered beneath the surface of the frontier. The Cibecue affair ignited a wider outbreak of violence, prompting Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache leaders such as Naiche, Juh, and Geronimo to flee the reservation and embark on a campaign of resistance that plunged Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico into years of turmoil. The military campaign against these Apache groups continued until Geronimo’s final surrender in August 1886.
In 1888, the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry were stationed at Fort Grant, Arizona. These African American soldiers, who earned their nickname from Native Americans who admired their bravery and fighting prowess, played a vital role in maintaining law and order in the region. In addition to their military duties, they often participated in civil duties, such as pursuing train robbers and other outlaws.
One notable case involving the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Grant, Arizona was the infamous Wham Paymaster Robbery, which occurred on May 11, 1889. U.S. Army Paymaster Major Joseph W. Wham, after paying the soldiers’ salaries at Fort Grant, was ambushed along with an escort of eleven Buffalo Soldiers while en route to Fort Thomas. A lengthy gun battle ensued between the soldiers and the robbers, resulting in eight soldiers being wounded. The bandits, however, managed to escape with $28,000 in gold and silver coins, a significant sum at the time.
The military presence at Fort Grant, Arizona began to wane in the late 19th century. In 1898, the troops were withdrawn, leaving only a caretaker, Colonel William F. Stewart of the Artillery Corps, to maintain the post. However, the fort briefly regained its military significance in 1900, serving as a staging point for soldiers on their way to the Philippines to fight in the Spanish-American War.
In October 1905, Captain Jenkins led Troop D across Fort Grant’s parade grounds for the last time. The soldiers were transferred to Fort Huachuca, and the post was once again abandoned except for a caretaker, marking the end of its active military service.
Following Arizona’s statehood in 1912, the federal government transferred the site of Fort Grant, Arizona to the State of Arizona. The state repurposed the former military post as the Arizona State Industrial School, a reform school for wayward boys and girls. The school quickly began to modernize the buildings to suit their new purpose.
In 1968, the Arizona State Industrial School officially became part of the Arizona State Department of Corrections. In 1973, the facility transitioned into an adult male prison, marking a significant shift in its function and purpose. In 1997, the prison became a unit of the Arizona State Prison complex headquartered in Safford, Arizona.
Over the years, extensive construction programs have significantly altered the landscape of Fort Grant, Arizona. Many of the historic buildings have been destroyed to make way for new facilities. However, several of the original adobe officers’ quarters still stand and are utilized today. The prison is located on Arizona State Road 266, approximately 36 miles southwest of Safford, Arizona.
From its beginnings as a military outpost dedicated to suppressing Apache raids to its current role as a state prison, Fort Grant, Arizona reflects the changing realities of the American West. Its history is a complex tapestry woven with threads of conflict, adaptation, and the enduring human presence on a landscape shaped by both natural beauty and harsh realities. The story of Fort Grant serves as a powerful reminder of the past and the ongoing evolution of the American frontier.