Fort Wingate
County: McKinley
​
Year Established: 1860
​
Year Abandoned: officially in 1993
​
Location: Fort Wingate is approximately 12 miles southeast of Gallup. To reach it, take Interstate 40 exit 33 for Highway 400 toward McGaffey
​
About:
​
Remains: The first school’s barn and silos, power house, and maintenance building remain, as well as an 1883 adobe clubhouse, one barracks, and a row of ca.1900 officers’ quarters. The National Park Service listed the Fort Wingate Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978
​
​
​
Fort Wingate Official Scenic Historical Marker
The first Fort Wingate was established near San Rafael in 1862, to serve as the base of Col. Kit Carson's campaign against the Navajo's. In 1868 the Garrison was transferred to the second Fort Wingate near Gallup. In that same year, the Navajo's returned here after their imprisonment at Fort Sumner.
FORT WINGATE
​
Established August 31, 1860
As a U.S. Cavalry Post
Under the name of
Fort Fauntleroy.
Name changed to Fort Lyon
in September, 1861,
And finally named
Fort Wingate in 1868.
​
This Centennial Monument
Dedicated to the proud history
of Fort Wingate, the horse soldiers
who served here,
And the indian people who watched
them come - first in doubt,
Then in friendship
In beauty is finished ...
​
August 29, 1960
