NM History: Fort Stanton and Tuberculosis

Only in Your State | Posted in New Mexico |April 19, 2020 | by Monica Spencer | Revised by Jaymi Firestone

With all the history packed in New Mexico’s 121,000 square miles, you have to guess that some areas may potentially have more relics than just old buildings and desks inside buildings. Some people even believe ghosts haunt the halls and remnants of old, abandoned, and even legendary places. One such location is Fort Stanton Historic Site.

During the day, Fort Stanton Historic Site has a quaint atmosphere.

Green grass and massive trees paint the landscape here between historic colonial-style buildings, serving as the perfect backdrop for re-enactments.

The Fort was established in 1855 as an Army post. It was used as a base for military operations against the Mescalero Apaches. Named after Army Captain Henry W. Stanton, who died in battle with the Apaches, its said that numerous campaigns were fought based out of the Fort from 1855 to sometime in the 1880s. Infamous New Mexicans who lived at Fort Stanton include people like Kit Carson, John “Black Jack” Pershing, and Billy the Kid. The fort also served as home to the famous Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Calvary.

Despite its value to the country’s Army efforts, Fort Stanton was converted into the United States’ first federal sanatorium for tuberculosis patients in 1899 per the orders of President William McKinley.

“The history of Fort Stanton and its significance to the story of New Mexico is extremely complex,” Timothy Roberts, regional manager at Lincoln and Fort Stanton historic sites. “Most people know that Fort Stanton was, of course, an Army post, but fewer know that it was the United States government’s very first federal facility dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis. The Fort Stanton Sanatorium had major implications for the people and economy of New Mexico.”

Selected for its dry climate, Fort Stanton served some 5,000 sailor patients between 1899 and 1953, 1,500 of whom are buried in the Maritime Cemetery on a hillside overlooking the Fort.

The patients lived in specially constructed tents, because at the time, fresh air and sunshine were the only known cures for tuberculosis.

During this time, new buildings were constructed including a hospital, stables, living quarters for the families stationed at Fort Stanton, and literally hundreds of tent-houses for the patients.

The hospital was fairly self-sufficient, establishing a large farm on the nearby grounds with patients serving in the fields, as well as recreational activities like a golf course for the doctors, baseball fields and a theatre for the resident workers. The nearby cemetery grew to include veterans of other services as well as Merchant Marines.

After the tuberculosis spread began to die down, Fort Stanton was no longer needed as a sanatorium. And it sat dormant until it was modified into a World War II internment center for a small population of German and Japanese Americans, followed by several other reiterations until it was given to the state of New Mexico in 1953. The site was used as a hospital in different capacities until 1995. The Fort served many different purposes for years following, including the home of a low security women’s prison and a rehabilitation center for juveniles, drugs and alcohol. In 2008 however, former Governor Bill Richardson established Fort Stanton as a national historic place and living history venue.

The history of Fort Stanton runs deep, there are many people however, who would believe this location to be a little startling.

Rumors about the old Army fort being haunted have swirled for decades among locals and visitors alike.

When alone or walking the grounds at night, the historic site takes on a lonely and slightly creepy feeling. Former employees have noted odd occurrences taking place on the grounds.

One of the earliest examples of supernatural events occurring was in the administrative building in the 1920s. During this time, employees noted seeing “shadow figures and unexplained crying.” A janitor also quit after one day on the job after he believed to see the devil.

Such eerie episodes have created a legendary status for the old Army fort.

The fort and the Lincoln County Paranormal Society began hosting “After Dark” tours, where visitors can partake in a tour, storytelling, and more.

In fact, in late 2019, producers from the show “Ghost Hunters” filmed an episode that recently aired on A&E.

The show premiered on April 15 in which the Ghost Hunters team attempted to find evidence of ghostly existence on the property. After the show premiered, the team plus staff members from the historic site hosted an online Q&A session for viewers. You can watch the recorded Q&A session at this link; the session begins at the 30 minute mark, so be prepared to fast forward if needed.

Fort Stanton Historic Site is located in southern New Mexico, approximately 67 miles east of Roswell along Billy the Kid Scenic Byway (Highway 380).

For details about the historic site’s hours of operation, special events, and more, visit their website or Facebook page.

Website: New Mexico Historic Sites
Facebook: New Mexico Historic Sites
Address: 104 Kit Carson Road, Fort Stanton, NM 88323
Phone: 575-354-0341

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