Fort Bowie, AZ

Willcox, AZ, just off of I-10, go south on Hwy. 186 about 20 miles. Watch for sign directing you to go east to Fort Bowie. The drive is about 8 miles. Watch for the Fort Bowie parking area and get ready to go for a wonderful hike. This area is designated "wilderness" so wear hiking boots. The trail is very clearly marked and has information posts at dozens of places along the 1.5 mile trail. The local brochures state it is an easy walk, but that statement was questioned by me several times and I walk about 5 miles each day, so make your own judgment. A brief summary of the history of this area is as follows: In the early 1800's surveyors were looking for a pass that would allow travel from St. Louis, MO to San Francisco, CA. Apache Pass seemed a possibility. Initially, the Apache Indians had no problem with the folks passing through. Butterfield Stage line also set up a station near the natural springs in the canyon. After about 12 years a troop of soldiers from California came through the pass with the idea of preventing Confederate Troops use of the area. Cochise, the chief of the tribe took exception and a fight broke out in the canyon. To gain control of the area the military commanders decided to built a fort and subdue the indians. They built Fort Bowie 1, which was basically a walled, tent fort. Some time passed and a local boy was kidnapped and stock stolen. A 1 Lt. from the fort was directed to recover the boy,and stock, and tried to take Cochise as a hostage, demanding the return of boy and property. Cochise escaped and a bloody battle took place over a period of several days.

It was later concluded that Cochise was quite possibly innocent, but with all the brutal deaths in the following days his guilt or innocence of the initial situation became a mute point. The war was on and would last for many years. More troops were sent in and a bigger and better Fort Bowie was built above the original post. Eventually Cochise moved to what is now the Chiricahua National Monument and Fort Bowie continued until the last of the Apache issue was resolved, in the latter part of the 1800's.

The ruins are a bit scant, but there are lots of old pictures so it is easy to see what the post looked like during it's operation. The location suggested to me this must have been a very rough assignment. It is very remote now, and was no doubt even more so during it's operation. The Butterfield Stage operation sure looked different than the ones in the movies.

On my second visit in December of 2007, I visited Apache Springs, which was the reason for all the people coming to this location. Water remains the controlling issues in the desert and always will. Strolling through the old cemetery I came to the grave of Orisoba Spence, who had been awarded the Metal Of Honor. I stood in front of his grave for a long time. I saluted Private Spence, and will continue that salute in my mind until my death.