Where is it?
Fort Bayard is one of the many nearby communities just outside Silver City, less than 15 minutes from downtown, south on Highway 180.
Fort Bayard played an important role in the expansion of American settlers into the area that is now Grant County.
Soldiers, including the famed Buffalo Soldier companies composed of African-American cavalry troopers, protected the miners and settlers in the mining district of central Grant County.
Soldiers from the fort confronted the Native American residents of the area, including Apache tribes led by Victorio and Geronimo.
The fort has played a number of roles since the end of the frontier era, and is now a medical facility operated by the state of New Mexico. The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society works to preserve the history and facilities of the old fort, and stages reenactments at several times during the year.
