Fort Selden Historic Site NM 88054

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Penny Schaefer

I'm so glad I decided to stop at this old adobe fort and museum! The museum is small, but the artifacts are nicely placed with well written placards. The grounds are much larger than expected. There's ongoing effort by the state of New Mexico to keep this historical site from melting back into the dirt it sits on. The ranger recommended viewing the outside relics first, which was a great suggestion. On hot days, try to tour the outside exhibits first, as well. I visited on a Sunday, so there were few visitors. The director, Emily, was a wealth of information! I asked so many questions, but she enthusiastically answered them all. There's plenty of room to park RVs or trailers. They were working on the entrance that includes a very well maintained handicap access path.

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JoAnn Martin

Fort Selden was established in April 1865 to bring peace to the region. Today, ghostly adobe ruins are all that remain of Fort Selden

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Terry Rostro

Fort Selden, located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, was established in 1865 to protect settlers and travelers in the Mesilla Valley from Apache raids. Situated along the Rio Grande, the fort played a crucial role in the region's development, providing a base for U.S. Army troops including around 400 buffalo soldiers who patrolled the surrounding area. The soldiers stationed at Fort Selden were primarily infantry and cavalry, tasked with maintaining peace and order on the frontier. Among the many individuals who lived at Fort Selden during its active years was the family of Arthur MacArthur Sr., who served as a military officer there. It was within the walls of this frontier fort that his son, Douglas MacArthur, later to become a five-star general and a prominent figure in World War II and the Korean War, spent a portion of his childhood. Though his time in New Mexico was relatively brief, Fort Selden holds the distinction of being one of his early homes. The fort was abandoned in 1891 as the need for military outposts in the area diminished. Today, the ruins of Fort Selden are preserved as a New Mexico State Monument, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the lives of those who lived and served on the American frontier, including the early years of a future general. The museum boasts an impressive array of 19th-century artifacts. Currently, active efforts are underway to rebuild some of the fort's structures. I had spoken with several workers, who displayed great enthusiasm for their role in preserving this historical location. If you have any interest in local history, it's definitely worth a visit.