| The final shot for this trip was at Fort Stanton. This two was a photo that I was able to easily identify. Researching places to go for our 2010 vacation in which we were staying in a vacation home in Ruidoso, I had come across Fort Stanton, New Mexico’s newest State Monument. Although we had not visited there in 2010, my research allowed me to recognize the architecture in the photo. Fort Stanton is in wonderful condition. A very active volunteer organization is restoring and refurbishing the buildings. One of the buildings houses a museum with exhibits displaying information on the many uses the Fort has had throughout the years. The volunteer that greeted us did not provide me any information on the location of my photo. It was somewhat comical. I showed him the photos and explained the contest. I did ask him “this is here isn’t it” and he did reply it was, but gave me no location. When Jim and I walked out of the building, we discovered it was that very building we had just walked out of. 1986 the Fort was abandoned and closed 1899 the Fort was acquired by the US Public Health Service for use as a tuberculosis hospital for the Merchant Marines. As well as a hospital during the Great Depression it was also used to house the CCC work camp, and was also used as an interment camp for Germans and Japanese-Americans 1953 the Fort was given to the State of New Mexixo and was used as a tubercular hospital until the 1960's. 1960's-1995 the Fort was used as the State Hospital for the Developmentally Handicapped, and for a short time it was a low security women’s prison and has housed several juvenile drug and alcohol programs. 1997 Fort Stanton Inc. was created to save the Fort 2007 Fort Stanton State Monument was established |
