Fort Stanton 3 foot interior walls and 1850's rifle

President Elect Margaret Baker demonstrates
the thickness of the interior walls.

Made from materials in the area, we saw much use of natural rock on our Historical League tour of Fort Stanton, N.M. Notice the inside walls of the living quarters were three feet thick rock walls.

As a gun enthusiastic, Leslie Christiansen was VERY interested in Sargeant Pope's authentic rifle. By the look on his face, I'm not sure how he felt . . .

So much history at Fort Stanton, New Mexico

Susie Brinegar becomes a soldier

Officers quarters

In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an Infantry and Cavalry post to protect settlers in the New Mexico Territory. Featuring over 155 years of history ranging from its beginnings as a military garrison to a Marine Tuberculosis Hospital, to WWII internment camp, to a training school for the mentally disabled, to a drug/alcohol re-hab facility to a low security women's prison, it was a fascinating stop on our Historical League tour.  It is currently a state monument and museum, visited by tens of thousands of tourists each year.

Dressed in authentic military uniform including wool
pants, our tour guide Sargeant Larry Pope was very
knowledgeable and entertaining.

Plans are underway for historic trip to New Mexico

Thanks to our fabulous tour chairs, Linda Fritsch and Lindy Isacksen, the Historical League has an amazing 3 day trip to New Mexico April 15-17. 

Flying to El Paso, our tour starts with a short bus trip to historic Mesilla in Las Cruces, New Mexico for lunch at La Posta de Mesilla Restaurant located in the 1840's Old Butterfield Stage Building.
We will visit White Sands National Monument, stay at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, tour the Hubbard Museum of the American West,  visit Hondo Iris Farm & Gallery, see Fort Stanton Historic Site, and Eagle Ranch, home of Heart of the Desert Pistachios and Wines in Alamogordo, New Mexico and take a guided tour of the New Mexico Museum of Space History. 

So much in 3 short days! Can't wait!!!