EVENTS
Tortilla Flat, AZ
Ramah Pioneer Days
Celebrate the founding of the town over 150 years ago with a parade, local vendors, and food. Held the last Saturday of July.
Fort Bayard Days
The Salt River Rangers support the preservation of and participate in the annual Fort Bayard Days which is held the third Friday and
Saturday in September!
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Directions to Tortilla Flat from the Phoenix/Mesa area:
Take the US 60 east (Superstition Freeway), to Apache Junction, exit at Idaho Rd. Go north to State Route 88. Turn right on SR 88 and travel 18 miles northeast to Tortilla Flat. Tortilla Flat is located 2 miles past Canyon Lake near mile marker 213.
Take the US 60 east (Superstition Freeway), to Apache Junction, exit at Idaho Rd. Go north to State Route 88. Turn right on SR 88 and travel 18 miles northeast to Tortilla Flat. Tortilla Flat is located 2 miles past Canyon Lake near mile marker 213.
The History of Fort Bayard:
In 1865, General Carleton, Commander of the District of New Mexico, requested that a new fort be established in the southwestern region of New Mexico to protect the early miners, settlers and travelers from Apache Indians. Fort Bayard, located in the homeland of the Apaches, was established in August 1866, by Company B of the 125th U.S. Colored Infantry under the command of Lieutenant James Kerr. He established an encampment near the mining communities of Pinos Altos and Santa Rita.
Major General John Pope, Commanding Officer of the Military Division of the Missouri, recorded:
"I have established only one new post on the Apache frontier, and that is located near the head of the Mimbres River, about one hundred and fifty miles west of the Rio Grande River. This post, with Fort Cummings at Cooke's Spring, Fort Selden on the Rio Grande, and Fort Stanton on the Bonito River between the Rio Grande and the Pecos, form a line of posts covering the southern frontier of New Mexico from the Apache Indians."
The Indian threat ended when Geronimo surrendered at Skeleton Canyon, New Mexico, in September 1886. Fort Bayard was home to Native American Indian scouts, several Buffalo Soldiers including Chaplain Allen Allensworth, several Medal of Honor recipients, and William Cathay (a.k.a. Cathy Williams) who was the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Some of the military leaders who served at the post were Generals George Crook and "Black Jack" Pershing.
In 1899, as the military post was being prepared for abandonment, an unusual sequence of events helped to preserve the integrity of Fort Bayard. In that year, Surgeon George M. Stemberg proposed transferring the post to the Army Medical Department because of the healing qualities of the high altitude and the dry sunny climate. Later that year Fort Bayard became the first sanatorium dedicated to the treatment of U.S. Army Officers and enlisted men suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. Among its medical leaders were Major D.D.M. Appel and Major Dr. George E. Bushnell. Both completed outstanding research discoveries and procedures in the treatment of tuberculosis. Registered Nurse Dita Kinney, later director of the Army Nurses Corps, supervised the inclusion of female nurses in the Army Nurses Corps.
On May 1, 1922, Fort Bayard came under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Administration. The military post sanatorium became a central hospital for the care and treatment of veterans. In 1944, Fort Bayard had lost a lot of their male maintenance people to the draft so they "borrowed" German prisoners of war from the Lordsburg POW camp, who then helped to maintain the post. They were paid the same wage as an Army Private. In 1965, the State of New Mexico assumed control of the post as a long-term health care facility and presently employs approximately 400. The post's adjoining military cemetery, dating back to 1866, became a National Cemetery on July 5, 1976. Fort Bayard became a New Mexico Historic District in 2001 and was named a National Historic Landmark on March 19, 2004.
Under the management of Pinos Health Care, Fort Bayard continues to play a vital role in the health care of the people of Grant County and the surrounding area.
In 1865, General Carleton, Commander of the District of New Mexico, requested that a new fort be established in the southwestern region of New Mexico to protect the early miners, settlers and travelers from Apache Indians. Fort Bayard, located in the homeland of the Apaches, was established in August 1866, by Company B of the 125th U.S. Colored Infantry under the command of Lieutenant James Kerr. He established an encampment near the mining communities of Pinos Altos and Santa Rita.
Major General John Pope, Commanding Officer of the Military Division of the Missouri, recorded:
"I have established only one new post on the Apache frontier, and that is located near the head of the Mimbres River, about one hundred and fifty miles west of the Rio Grande River. This post, with Fort Cummings at Cooke's Spring, Fort Selden on the Rio Grande, and Fort Stanton on the Bonito River between the Rio Grande and the Pecos, form a line of posts covering the southern frontier of New Mexico from the Apache Indians."
The Indian threat ended when Geronimo surrendered at Skeleton Canyon, New Mexico, in September 1886. Fort Bayard was home to Native American Indian scouts, several Buffalo Soldiers including Chaplain Allen Allensworth, several Medal of Honor recipients, and William Cathay (a.k.a. Cathy Williams) who was the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Some of the military leaders who served at the post were Generals George Crook and "Black Jack" Pershing.
In 1899, as the military post was being prepared for abandonment, an unusual sequence of events helped to preserve the integrity of Fort Bayard. In that year, Surgeon George M. Stemberg proposed transferring the post to the Army Medical Department because of the healing qualities of the high altitude and the dry sunny climate. Later that year Fort Bayard became the first sanatorium dedicated to the treatment of U.S. Army Officers and enlisted men suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. Among its medical leaders were Major D.D.M. Appel and Major Dr. George E. Bushnell. Both completed outstanding research discoveries and procedures in the treatment of tuberculosis. Registered Nurse Dita Kinney, later director of the Army Nurses Corps, supervised the inclusion of female nurses in the Army Nurses Corps.
On May 1, 1922, Fort Bayard came under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Administration. The military post sanatorium became a central hospital for the care and treatment of veterans. In 1944, Fort Bayard had lost a lot of their male maintenance people to the draft so they "borrowed" German prisoners of war from the Lordsburg POW camp, who then helped to maintain the post. They were paid the same wage as an Army Private. In 1965, the State of New Mexico assumed control of the post as a long-term health care facility and presently employs approximately 400. The post's adjoining military cemetery, dating back to 1866, became a National Cemetery on July 5, 1976. Fort Bayard became a New Mexico Historic District in 2001 and was named a National Historic Landmark on March 19, 2004.
Under the management of Pinos Health Care, Fort Bayard continues to play a vital role in the health care of the people of Grant County and the surrounding area.
Ramah was first settled in 1882 as a mission outpost for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their work was concentrated among the Navajo and Zuni.
A dam started by the pioneers in 1883 was destroyed by floods twice. The current dam, 1906, maintains Ramah Lake, a favorite fishing spot.
The first permanent store was started by the Master Brothers from England in 1901. There are many historical buildings.
A dam started by the pioneers in 1883 was destroyed by floods twice. The current dam, 1906, maintains Ramah Lake, a favorite fishing spot.
The first permanent store was started by the Master Brothers from England in 1901. There are many historical buildings.
Grants/Cibola Chamber of Commerce Annual Cultural Fair
This annual event is dedicated to the children of Cibola County and their families.
It is free, fun and educational!
It is free, fun and educational!
2010 Grand National Competition of the 'Old West'
Join us for three fun filled days of re-living the "Old West" as you walk the streets of the Tent City and see Artisans, Mountain Men, Gunfighters, Indians, Civil War Soldiers, Gold Miners and more as they live the life of the 1800's. Join in the Fast Draw contest and test your skills against the best with a gun! Fun for all ages that doesn't stop when the sun sets. The Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall is open 24/7 to entertain you at the greatest event of the year in Jean, NV!
April 30 through May 3, 2010 For More Information: http://www.rgamerica.org/gn.htm