Fort Bowie

Fascinating History at Fort Bowie National Historic Site

In July 1862, Brigadier General James Henry Carleton was leading his regiment from California to New Mexico. As they passed through the Apache Pass in Arizona, they were ambushed by a band of Apaches in what became known as the Battle of Apache Pass. With tensions already high after the Apache raid on the ranch of John Ward the year before, the 5th California Infantry were ordered to build a fort which they named after their colonel, George Washington Bowie. This was the first of two forts that were built at Fort Bowie.