Guardians of the Border

Guardians of the Border State Highway Department Building Standard Highway From Bisbee to Only Army Post in Arizona

SIMPLE stone monument on U. S. Highway 80 typifies the colorful history of Arizona's only army post. Dedicated in 1934 the stones mark the spot near where the notorious Geronimo surrendered in 1886 to General Nelson A. Miles then attached to Fort Huachuca.

Modern highways, some of which are now undergoing improvements, make this colorful bit of southern Arizona easily accessible. Fort Huachuca is but 12 miles from the Mexican border yet it's climate, it's geological structure and it's vegetation make it as far removed from burning sands and sagebrush as Timbuctoo is from Chicago.

The Arizona State Highway Department is now building a standard highway from Fort Huachuca to Bisbee. The first 13 miles is now half finished. Many improvements are contemplated on the highway to Nogales and Tucson.

Nestled on the north slope of the Huachuca mountains, the Fort was established in 1877 as a military camp to guard settlers from Indian attacks. At the outbreak of the Mexican wars, Fort Huachuca assumed new importance due to its strategic international situation.

The Fort occupies 60,000 acres of land and is part of the Coronado National forest. The surrounding grandeur of the lofty mountain range with numerous canyons fed by many springs,

By HARRY DUBERSTEIN

Forests of black oak and the sharp atmosphere of high altitude make a visit to Fort Huachuca a real scenic treat.

Thousands of head of fine cattle graze on the verdant grass and thrive in the mile-high altitude of the Huachucas. Here are great open spaces, yet one hears the creak of the wind-mill at tiny settlements planted deep in the canyons.

Aided by an appropriation of a million and a half dollars, Uncle Sam today is renovating and remodeling his possession on the Mexican border. The water system, the hospital, the post exchange, the motor sheds and the light and power plant will undergo improvement.

Fort Huachuca comprises 1200 officers and men. Motion pictures, tennis courts, swimming, bowling, reading, athletic contests and social events, involving the wives of the officers, make the post a world unto itself.

Officers row, located on a wide paved street, consists of 40 modern homes and four apartment houses for bachelors. Colored infantrymen are stationed at the Fort. Periodic field trips take the entire personnel on long jaunts to points bordering within a few feet of our friendly neighbor to the south.

Fort Huachuca might be dubbed The Foreign Legion of America. It's personnel, it's colorful history mark the post as one unique in the American Army. General Leonard Wood, at first a contract doctor attached to Fort Bowie, was assigned to the Fort in 1878 as a captain doctor. It was his first regular army station. He went to the front in 1884 with the famous Captain Lawton and Lieutenant Gatewood in pursuit of Geronimo who surrendered to General Miles in 1886.

General Shafter, who commanded the American troops in Cuba in the Spanish-American war, in 1877 commanded the first infantry at Fort Grant, Arizona. He sent a detachment to the Huachuca mountains at the request of harrassed settlers. That incident marked the birth of Arizona's only army post. Among the post's illustrious sons is. General John J. Pershing who served as second lieutenant under General Miles in 1885 and 1886.

A genuine welcome awaits tourists at the Fort. In the surrounding hills and canyons there are excellent camping grounds. Huachuca canyon extends seven miles beyond the Fort; Gardener canyon and Miller canyon, where Jack Hoxie's ranch is located and where many "western" movies have been made, are within a few miles of Huachuca's flagpole.

Some of Arizona's most modern dude ranches are scattered throughout the Huachuca neighborhood. Well within the shadow of bristling guns and hardy soldiers are the peaceful cow towns of Hereford, Elgin, Canille and Vaughn.