Old Fort Sumner 
By J. Young

Fort Sumner is situated on the North side of the Pecos river, northeast of the center of De Baca County. At an altitude of 4,032 feet above sea level, it was established by Congress on October 31, 1862 as a military post at the heart of Bosque Redondo, a 1600 square mile Reservation. The Reservation was currently in development.
The army post, Fort Sumner, was named in honor of General Edwin Vose Sumner, a distinguished Union Army General who was recognized for his bravery and leadership during the Civil War. General Sumner’s nickname was Bullhead, as he was known for his strong-willed and determined nature. Despite facing accusations of vicious attacks and raids on white and Spanish settlers, General Sumner remained a steadfast commander. It is said that during battle, a musket ball once bounced off his head, showcasing his courage in the face of danger. Although he unfortunately passed away from a fever on March 21, 1863, General Sumner was laid to rest in the esteemed Syracuse, New York’s Oakwood Cemetery. We honor General Sumner for his contributions and legacy in the military, and for his service during one of the most trying periods in American history.

Bosque Redondo reservation was to be the first Indian reservation west of Oklahoma, with plans to turn the Apache and Navajo Indians into farmers using irrigation canals from the Pecos River

To achieve their objectives, the U.S. Army engaged in hostilities against the Navajo Indian tribes, resulting in the destruction of their fields, orchards, homes, and livestock. The Apache and Navajo, who survived the army assaults, were subsequently subjected to crippling famine. Following a final confrontation, the Navajo yielded to Kit Carson and his troops in January, 1864. Carson directed the confiscation of their property and organized the Long Walk to the Bosque Redondo reservation, which was already inhabited by Mescalero Apache.

Unfortunately, from the outset, the reservation was beset by challenges resulting from inadequate government planning, insufficient water supplies, and minimal provisions of firewood. Furthermore, given the Navajo and Apache people’s lifelong history of warfare, their coexistence on the same reservation was fraught with conflict.

In the late 1860s, the Bosque Redondo reservation faced a number of challenges that led to its ultimate failure. The Pecos water caused significant health issues for the tribes, and the corn crop was destroyed by armyworms. Additionally, the wood supply soon ran out. As a result, many of the Mescalero Apache escaped their guards and fled the reservation. The Navajo remained for another three years before returning to their former homes in June 1868. During this time, they planted hundreds of cottonwood and other types trees.
The US Government acknowledged the failure of their plan and subsequently closed Fort Sumner for good. These events serve as a reminder of the challenges that can arise when undertaking large-scale resettlement efforts and underscore the importance of careful planning and consideration of all potential factors.

In 1869, Lucien B. Maxwell, the former owner of the largest land grant in U.S. history, purchased the old army Fort Sumner buildings, including portions of surrounding land, for $5,000. He relocated his family from northeast New Mexico and reconstructed one of the officer’s living quarters into a 20-room house. After Lucien Maxwell’s passing, his son, Peter, took over his affairs, and the buildings were leased out to residents and businesses. Notable residents include the Gutierrez sisters and the Bowdres. Business owners such as Bob Hargrove, who owned the saloon where Joe Grant was killed by Billy the Kid, and Beaver Smith, who owned the saloon where Billy the Kid supposedly had his famous photo taken with his Winchester. The old fort and surrounding land hold a unique historical significance and attract visitors from all over the world.

On July 14, 1881, at close to midnight, Sheriff Pat Garrett and his team comprising of John W. Poe and Kip McKinney found Billy the Kid in the front left corner room. According to reports, he was allegedly shot through the chest and lost his life in the incident. The late Billy the Kid was laid to rest alongside his friends Charlie Bowdre and Tom O’Folliard at the old military post cemetery at Fort Sumner.

In 1903, a railway project was proposed. The importance of constructing a strong and elevated bridge over the Pecos River became evident after a devastating flood occurred that same year. The bridge crew recognized the enormity of the task they were undertaking. Another flood on September 30, 1904 submerged the Old Fort Sumner Military Cemetery under four feet of water, causing considerable damage to markers and monuments. Additionally, the cities of Roswell and Carlsbad faced the brunt of the flood waters.

In 1905, The Landry Sharp Construction Co. initiated the construction process of a bridge by establishing a sizeable camp at the river. At the time, approximately 300 railroad bridge workers were selected for this job. However, the nearest viable water source was the Sunnyside Springs, which was a mile away from the rails. The Sunnyside Springs had a rich history of being a post office, stage stop, and sheep trading center between 1878 and 1882. Additionally, the second Sunnyside, which stood beside the tracks, served as a post office from 1905 to 1910.

When the railroad construction began in the area in 1905, the 150 residents of Fort Sumner began moving their businesses and buildings some seven miles to the northwest to the settlement of Sunnyside. The towns merged to become one town called Fort Sumner.

During the 1920s, the transcontinental airline constructed an airfield in Fort Sumner to establish its coast-to-coast air passenger network. However, due to the airline’s unsuccessful endeavors in the Great Depression era, the site was abandoned. Subsequently, during World War II, the US Army reopened the airfield as a training base. Later, the base emerged as the Fort Sumner Airport, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected the airport as one of its launch sites for the High Altitude Balloon program.

Old Fort Sumner offers a variety of historical sites to visit, including a nature trail along the Pecos River, the Bosque Redondo Memorial Museum, and the old post cemetery where the gravestones of Billy, Tom, and Charlie can be found. Additionally, visitors can stop at “new” Fort Sumner to view the WPA Murals in the De Baca County Courthouse and explore the Billy the Kid museum. These destinations offer a unique opportunity to learn about the rich history of the area and gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of Old Fort Sumner. Be sure and stay at The Billy the Kid Inn, owned and operated by our PAL, Elaine.
Billy the Kid Inn phone: 575) 355-7414.
Address: 1540 Sumner Ave, Fort Sumner, NM 88119

Check out the Billy the Kid museum site here…

https://www.billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com/index.html