Fort McDowell

Historical Context

Establishment and Military Purpose

Fort McDowell was established in September 1865 by the U.S. Army, named after Major General Irvin McDowell, a Union general during the Civil War. The fort’s primary purpose was to protect settlers and miners from Apache raids and to establish a federal presence in the newly formed Arizona Territory, which had been separated from the New Mexico Territory just two years earlier in 1863.

Strategic Location and Operations

The military outpost was strategically positioned along the Salt River, about 25 miles northeast of present-day Phoenix. This location was chosen for its access to water, a precious resource in the desert, and its commanding view of the surrounding valley. The fort served as a base for military operations against the Apache and Yavapai peoples, who fiercely resisted the encroachment on their traditional lands.

Peak Military Activity

At its peak in the 1870s, Fort McDowell housed several hundred soldiers and civilian personnel. The fort became the nucleus around which a small community developed, with traders, blacksmiths, laundresses, and other service providers establishing businesses to cater to the military population. This community included not just Euro-American settlers, but also Mexican laborers and local indigenous people who found employment at or near the fort.

Territorial Development Context

Fort McDowell’s establishment coincided with a pivotal period in Arizona’s development. The territory was experiencing increased migration due to mining opportunities, the recent Homestead Act of 1862, and the gradual pacification of indigenous resistance. The fort played a significant role in the broader military campaign to subdue Native American tribes throughout the Southwest, participating in the “Apache Wars” that would continue for decades.

Key Historical Events

Several notable historical events impacted the fort’s development. The arrival of the railroad in Arizona in the 1880s diminished the fort’s isolation, while the establishment of the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation in 1903 forever altered the region’s demographic and cultural landscape.

The Ghost Town Today

Current Physical Remains

Today, little remains of the original Fort McDowell military installation. Time, weather, and repurposing have erased much of the physical evidence of this once-bustling outpost. Visitors to the area will find scattered foundation stones, the occasional crumbling wall, and depressions in the earth where buildings once stood.

Surviving Structures and Features

The parade ground, once the center of military life, is now an empty expanse of desert vegetation. The former commandant’s quarters, hospital, and barracks exist only as archaeological remnants. A few stone markers placed by historical preservation groups indicate where significant structures once stood, providing context for those trying to imagine the fort in its heyday.

The most substantial remaining structure is a storage building that was later converted for other uses. Built of local stone and adobe, it stands as a testament to the practical construction methods employed by the military in this harsh environment. Its thick walls, designed to keep supplies cool in the desert heat, have helped it outlast more temporary structures.

Infrastructure Remnants

The fort’s original water system, which channeled water from the Salt River, can still be traced in parts, revealing the engineering ingenuity required for desert survival. Fragments of the old military road that connected Fort McDowell to Phoenix are occasionally visible, particularly after seasonal rains reveal the compacted earth of the former thoroughfare.

Modern Preservation Efforts

Preservation efforts at Fort McDowell have been limited compared to other Arizona historical sites. The land’s transfer to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has meant that access to some areas is restricted, though the tribe has shown interest in preserving the cultural heritage of the site. Archaeological surveys have been conducted intermittently, documenting what remains before nature reclaims it completely.

Visitor Access

Visitors wishing to explore the remnants of Fort McDowell should contact the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation for permission and guidance, as much of the site lies within tribal lands. The nearby Fort McDowell Casino and Resort provides informational materials about the area’s history, though direct access to some historical locations may require special arrangements.

The Pioneer Cemetery

Location and Establishment

The Fort McDowell Cemetery lies approximately half a mile from the main fort site, situated on a gentle rise that offered both drainage during seasonal rains and a reflective view of the surrounding desert landscape. This small, roughly rectangular plot of land is enclosed by a simple wire fence, a modern addition that replaced the original wooden pickets that once marked this solemn ground.

Timeline and Usage

Established shortly after the fort itself in 1865, the cemetery contains graves dating from the fort’s earliest days through its decommissioning in 1890 and beyond. The oldest identifiable markers date to 1866, belonging to soldiers who succumbed to disease, accidents, and occasional skirmishes with local tribes. The cemetery continued to receive burials from the surrounding civilian community well into the early 20th century, with the latest marked grave dating to 1924.

Grave Markers and Military Heritage

The grave markers tell a story of military precision giving way to frontier practicality. The earliest military graves feature simple government-issued stones, many weathered nearly to illegibility by over 150 years of desert sun and seasonal monsoons. These standard-issue markers contrast with more elaborate civilian monuments that appeared as the community around the fort grew. Hand-carved local stone, wooden crosses (few of which have survived), and even a few cast iron markers reflect the diverse backgrounds of those interred.

Causes of Death and Social Structure

Inscriptions reveal much about life and death in territorial Arizona. Common causes of death included typhoid fever, heatstroke, drowning in the Salt River, and accidents involving horses or firearms. Several markers indicate death by “hostile action,” a euphemism for casualties during confrontations with indigenous fighters. One notable marble headstone, though heavily eroded, commemorates Lieutenant John Smith, who perished “in service to his country against hostile natives” in 1868.

The cemetery layout reveals the social structure of frontier society. Military personnel are buried in ordered rows reflecting their rank and unit, while civilian graves appear less regimented. A small section on the western edge contains graves marked with both Christian and traditional Yavapai symbols, indicating the complex cultural interactions that characterized the region.

Current Condition

Today, the cemetery exists in a state of weathered dignity. While not actively maintained as a manicured memorial, periodic clean-up efforts by historical societies and the Yavapai Nation help preserve this tangible link to Arizona’s territorial period. Desert plants have reclaimed portions of the grounds, with creosote bush and palo verde trees providing occasional shade to the silent stones.

The Community Cemetery

Establishment and Evolution

Beyond the military burial ground lies the larger Fort McDowell Community Cemetery, established as the civilian population grew alongside and eventually outlasted the military presence. Located approximately a mile from the pioneer cemetery, this burial ground represents the transition from military outpost to established community.

Organic Development

Unlike the relatively orderly pioneer cemetery with its military precision, the community cemetery evolved organically, expanding as needed from its establishment in the 1880s. While the pioneer cemetery primarily contains graves of soldiers and their immediate families, the community cemetery reflects a broader demographic tapestry: settlers, ranchers, miners, traders, and increasingly, members of the Fort McDowell Yavapai tribe after the establishment of the reservation in 1903.

Social and Economic Stratification

The socioeconomic differences between the two cemeteries are evident in the grave markers. The community cemetery contains everything from unmarked fieldstone placements to elaborate family plots with decorative fencing. Religious diversity is more apparent here, with Catholic, Protestant, and traditional Yavapai burial practices coexisting in close proximity. Several sections feature graves decorated with both Christian crosses and traditional items like painted stones or ceramic vessels.

Evolution of Burial Practices

Burial practices evolved noticeably over time. Early graves from the 1880s and 1890s typically feature vertical headstones with minimal information, while later burials from the 1910s onward often include family plots with concrete borders, more elaborate inscriptions, and occasionally, porcelain photographs of the deceased. This evolution reflects both changing funerary customs and the increased access to materials as transportation networks improved.

Community Traditions

The community cemetery became a focal point for local traditions, particularly Decoration Day (later Memorial Day) observances. Historical accounts mention annual gatherings where both white settlers and Yavapai tribal members would clean graves, leave flowers or traditional offerings, and share meals. These ceremonies reflected the community’s ability to forge connections across cultural divides, even as tensions persisted in other aspects of daily life.

Family Legacies

Several prominent local families have multiple generations represented in the community cemetery. The Johnson family plot, for instance, contains graves spanning from 1895 to 1947, telling the story of one family’s endurance through the transition from territory to statehood. Similarly, the Martinez family section includes graves of early Hispanic settlers who established successful ranching operations in the area.

Newspapers and the Town Voice

Regional Newspaper Coverage

As Fort McDowell transitioned from military outpost to civilian community, the written word became an important tool for community cohesion and identity formation. Though never large enough to support its own dedicated newspaper, the settlement received coverage in several regional publications that documented life, death, commerce, and conflict in this frontier community.

The Arizona Miner

The “Arizona Miner,” established in Prescott in 1864, was one of the earliest newspapers to regularly report on activities at Fort McDowell. Its coverage focused primarily on military operations, troop movements, and conflicts with indigenous groups. The paper’s editorial stance generally supported aggressive military action against Native Americans, reflecting the prevailing settler attitudes of the time.

The Phoenix Herald

By the 1880s, the “Phoenix Herald” began providing more consistent coverage of events at and around Fort McDowell. This publication, founded in 1879, devoted column space to both military affairs and the growing civilian community. Reports of agricultural developments, social gatherings, crimes, and accidents provided glimpses into daily life at the settlement.

James McNeil, a correspondent for the “Phoenix Herald” who visited Fort McDowell quarterly, wrote vivid accounts of community development. His 1883 description of a Fourth of July celebration noted the “harmonious gathering of soldiers, settlers, and friendly Indians who participated in footraces, shooting competitions, and a community feast that lasted well into the evening hours.”

The Arizona Republican

The “Arizona Republican” (forerunner to today’s “Arizona Republic”), established in 1890, continued coverage as the military presence diminished and the civilian community adapted. This paper documented the transition of Fort McDowell from military outpost to reservation community with varying degrees of cultural sensitivity, reflecting the evolving but still deeply problematic attitudes toward indigenous peoples.

Death Notices and Social Documentation

News of deaths and burials at both the pioneer and community cemeteries appeared regularly in these publications, providing valuable genealogical information that might otherwise have been lost. The “Arizona Republican” published detailed obituaries of prominent community members, while often merely noting the passing of indigenous residents or laborers, revealing the social stratification of the era.

Military Decommissioning Coverage

When Fort McDowell was officially decommissioned as a military installation in 1890, the “Arizona Republican” ran a front-page story reflecting on the fort’s significance in “taming the wilderness” and “bringing civilization to the territory”—language that ignored the displacement and suffering of indigenous peoples while celebrating American expansion.

Distribution and Community Connection

While no physical newspaper offices existed at Fort McDowell itself, these regional publications were delivered by stage and later by rail to be distributed at the trading post and other gathering places. They formed a crucial link between this remote community and broader territorial developments, informing residents of everything from political developments to market prices for agricultural goods.

Transportation and Connectivity

Pre-Railroad Transportation

Unlike many Arizona settlements that owed their existence directly to railroad expansion, Fort McDowell developed before the arrival of rail transportation in the territory. The fort relied initially on a network of military roads and stage routes that connected it to Prescott, Tucson, and later, Phoenix. These early transportation arteries were difficult to traverse, with journeys measured in days rather than hours.

Stage Route Development

The most significant early transportation development was the establishment of a regular stage route between Phoenix and Fort McDowell in the 1870s. This bumpy, dusty connection became a lifeline for the community, bringing mail, supplies, and the occasional visitor on a weekly basis. The stage stop, located near the fort’s main entrance, became a natural gathering place where news was exchanged and connections to the outside world maintained.

Railroad Impact on Arizona Territory

The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona in 1880 transformed the territory’s development patterns, though it did not directly serve Fort McDowell. The nearest rail connection was established at Maricopa, approximately 35 miles southwest of Phoenix. This development shortened supply lines to Fort McDowell, as goods could be transported by rail to Maricopa, then carried by wagon to Phoenix and onward to the fort.

Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad

When the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad completed its line into Phoenix in 1887, the impact on Fort McDowell was substantial, even though the rails never reached the fort itself. The travel time from major supply centers was drastically reduced, and the cost of transported goods decreased accordingly. Military reports from the period note that fresh produce, manufactured goods, and mail began arriving with greater frequency and reliability.

Ironic Contribution to Decline

The improved transportation connections ironically contributed to the fort’s eventual decommissioning. As Phoenix grew into a substantial settlement with its own infrastructure and protection, the military importance of Fort McDowell diminished. The War Department, able to move troops more efficiently by rail, consolidated its Arizona operations at more strategically located installations.

Post-Military Transportation

After the fort’s closure in 1890, transportation connections to the area actually diminished for a period. The stage route was maintained with reduced frequency until around 1910, primarily serving the newly established reservation community. Residents increasingly relied on private wagons and, later, early automobiles to make the journey to Phoenix for supplies and services.

Archaeological Evidence

Physical evidence of these early transportation networks is minimal today. Portions of the original military road can still be traced in some areas, appearing as unusually flat, compacted sections amid the desert terrain. No stage stations or other transportation infrastructure survived the passage of time, though archaeological surveys have identified likely locations of such facilities.

The Decline

Gradual Military Withdrawal

Fort McDowell’s decline followed a different pattern than many Arizona ghost towns. Rather than experiencing a dramatic collapse like mining communities when resources were depleted, Fort McDowell underwent a more gradual transformation from military outpost to reservation community.

The fort’s military significance began diminishing in the 1880s as the Apache threat decreased and more permanent settlements with their own protection emerged throughout the territory. In 1890, the War Department officially decommissioned Fort McDowell as an active military installation. Some buildings were dismantled for materials, while others were repurposed by the growing civilian community that remained.

Establishment of Yavapai Reservation

The establishment of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation in 1903 marked another pivotal transition. This 24,680-acre reservation, established on lands that included the former fort, represented a small fraction of the Yavapai people’s traditional territory. Many buildings from the fort era were adapted by Yavapai families, who established homes and farms along the fertile Salt River valley.

Transportation and Isolation

Transportation shifts accelerated the area’s isolation from mainstream development. As automobile travel replaced horse and wagon in the early 20th century, but before modern paved highways reached the area, Fort McDowell became increasingly disconnected from the growing Phoenix metropolitan region. The stage routes that had served the community were discontinued by the 1920s, leaving residents dependent on infrequent mail delivery and irregular private transportation.

Diminishing Media Coverage

News coverage of Fort McDowell in Phoenix newspapers dwindled alongside its diminishing non-indigenous population. By the 1930s, mentions of the area were largely confined to reservation affairs, weather events affecting the Salt River, or occasional historical retrospectives. This reduction in media attention both reflected and reinforced the community’s increasing isolation.

Final Departures

The last non-indigenous residents largely departed by the 1940s, with exception of a few intermarried families. The pioneer cemetery received its final burial in 1936, while the community cemetery continued to serve the Yavapai population. The trading post, once a vital community hub, closed in 1954, requiring residents to travel to Phoenix or nearby Scottsdale for supplies.

Relocation to Growing Communities

Many former residents relocated to growing communities like Mesa, Tempe, and Phoenix, drawn by economic opportunities and modern conveniences unavailable in the increasingly remote former fort. Descendants of these families occasionally returned for cemetery visits or to show children and grandchildren their roots, but permanent connections to the place faded with each passing generation.

Yavapai Continuity

For the Yavapai people, however, Fort McDowell never truly became a “ghost town” but rather evolved into the center of their modern tribal identity. The reservation community, though facing significant challenges including poverty and limited infrastructure, maintained continuous habitation of the area, preserving aspects of the fort’s history alongside their own cultural traditions.

Cultural and Historical Significance

American Westward Expansion

Fort McDowell occupies a complex position in Arizona’s historical narrative, serving simultaneously as a symbol of American westward expansion, a site of indigenous displacement, and eventually, a center of cultural resilience and renewal for the Yavapai people.

In the broader context of Arizona pioneer history, Fort McDowell represents the military phase of territorial development—a period when the federal government established outposts to pacify indigenous resistance and create safe conditions for Euro-American settlement. The fort’s establishment in 1865, just two years after the Arizona Territory was created, places it among the earliest American institutional footprints in the region.

Archaeological Research

Archaeological studies of the fort site, though limited, have yielded insights into daily life during Arizona’s territorial period. Excavations conducted in the 1970s by Arizona State University researchers uncovered artifacts ranging from military buttons and ammunition to household items, trade goods, and evidence of cross-cultural exchange. These material remains provide tangible connections to the past that complement written records.

Historic Preservation Status

The Fort McDowell area has never received National Historic Register designation, though various historical preservation groups have advocated for such recognition. The site’s location within the sovereign territory of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has complicated preservation efforts but has also ensured that any historical interpretation includes indigenous perspectives—a crucial counterbalance to earlier, settler-centric narratives.

Indigenous Perspectives and Cultural Continuity

For local indigenous communities, particularly the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the site represents both historical trauma and cultural continuity. The fort was instrumental in the forced concentration and relocation of Yavapai people in the 1870s, leading to the infamous “Exodus” of 1875 when approximately 1,500 Yavapai were marched from the Verde Valley to the San Carlos Reservation—a journey on which many perished. Yet paradoxically, the later establishment of the Fort McDowell Reservation provided a land base that allowed for cultural survival and eventual revitalization.

Contemporary Interpretation

In recent decades, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has incorporated the complex legacy of the fort into its cultural interpretation and economic development initiatives. The tribe’s cultural center features exhibits that place the fort within the longer continuum of Yavapai history, neither ignoring its role in colonization nor allowing that period to define the tribe’s entire historical experience.

Tourism and Education

Fort McDowell plays a modest but significant role in regional tourism and historical education. While not as well-known as other Arizona historical sites, it attracts visitors interested in military history, cemetery research, indigenous cultural resilience, and the complex narrative of the American West. The tribe occasionally hosts guided historical tours that offer nuanced perspectives on the site’s multilayered past.

Journalistic Heritage

The newspapers that documented Fort McDowell’s development and decline represent important elements of Arizona’s journalistic history. Archives of publications like the “Arizona Miner,” “Phoenix Herald,” and “Arizona Republican” provide invaluable insights into how territorial media shaped public perception of military campaigns, indigenous peoples, and frontier development.

Cemetery Conservation and Memorial Practices

Pioneer Cemetery Preservation

The preservation states of Fort McDowell’s pioneer and community cemeteries reveal divergent trajectories that reflect broader patterns of historical memory and cultural continuity in the region.

The pioneer cemetery, with its predominantly military and early settler graves, has experienced periods of neglect punctuated by sporadic restoration efforts. During the 1930s, Works Progress Administration teams documented and performed basic maintenance on the site, creating the first comprehensive burial records. In the 1970s, the Arizona Historical Society sponsored a more thorough documentation project, photographing existing markers and creating a site map that has proved invaluable as some stones have deteriorated beyond legibility.

Current Maintenance Approaches

Contemporary maintenance of the pioneer cemetery is minimal but respectful. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation allows access for descendants of those buried there and occasionally clears vegetation that threatens to obscure grave markers. No regular groundskeeping occurs, creating an atmosphere of weathered authenticity that many visitors find appropriately solemn for a frontier burial ground.

Community Cemetery as Living Heritage

The community cemetery, by contrast, remains in active use by the Yavapai community and receives more consistent care. Tribal members maintain family plots according to a mixture of traditional Yavapai practices and adopted Western traditions. Some graves feature both conventional headstones and traditional markers like painted stones or ceramic vessels containing symbolic items. The cemetery grounds are regularly cleared before major observances, particularly All Souls’ Day in November.

Differential Community Involvement

Community involvement in preservation differs significantly between the two sites. The pioneer cemetery relies primarily on interest from historical organizations, genealogical researchers, and descendants of the interred for its occasional maintenance. The Arizona Cemetery Research Organization has documented the site, and volunteer groups from Phoenix occasionally organize cleaning days with tribal permission.

The community cemetery, meanwhile, remains embedded in living cultural practices. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation includes cemetery maintenance in its cultural preservation budget, and family members actively participate in caring for their ancestors’ resting places. This connection to living memory and practice has ensured the community cemetery’s better physical condition compared to its pioneer counterpart.

Memorial Traditions

Memorial events at the two sites reveal different patterns of remembrance. The pioneer cemetery sees occasional visits from military history enthusiasts, particularly around Veterans Day and Memorial Day, though no regular ceremonies are conducted there. Individual descendants sometimes place flags or flowers on specific graves, but organized commemorations are rare.

The community cemetery hosts several annual observances that blend Catholic, Protestant, and traditional Yavapai practices. The most significant is a November gathering that coincides with All Souls’ Day, featuring prayers in both English and the Yavapai language, the cleaning and decoration of graves, and a community meal that honors the ancestors. This event demonstrates how the Yavapai people have incorporated elements from multiple cultural traditions while maintaining core values and practices.

Genealogical Research Access

For descendants researching family connections, access to records presents varying challenges. Military burials in the pioneer cemetery can often be traced through Army records preserved in the National Archives, though these documents frequently contain limited personal information. The community cemetery’s records are maintained by the tribal government, with access managed through the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Cultural Center, which works to balance public interest with cultural protocols regarding ancestral remains.

Visiting Respectfully

Tribal Sovereignty and Access Protocols

Visitors to Fort McDowell’s historical sites should approach these places with appropriate respect for both their historical significance and their continued importance to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The entire area, including both cemetery sites, lies within the sovereign territory of the Yavapai Nation, and access is at the discretion of tribal authorities.

Arranging Visits

Those wishing to visit the fort site and pioneer cemetery should first contact the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tourism Office to inquire about current access policies and to arrange any necessary permissions or guides. Unscheduled visits are discouraged, as they may unintentionally intrude on tribal lands or activities. The tribe occasionally offers organized historical tours that provide context and ensure appropriate access.

Special Considerations for Cemetery Sites

The community cemetery, as an active burial ground with ongoing cultural significance, requires particular sensitivity. Visits by non-family members should be arranged through tribal offices, and photography may be restricted out of respect for Yavapai cultural protocols regarding ancestral spaces. Visitors should never remove objects from graves, as items that might appear to be debris may actually hold spiritual significance in Yavapai tradition.

Environmental and Preservation Challenges

Preservation challenges facing both sites include natural erosion, desert vegetation growth, and the gradual fading of grave inscriptions due to weathering. Climate change has intensified these issues, with more extreme weather events accelerating deterioration. Visitors can support preservation by staying on designated paths, refraining from touching fragile markers, and reporting any damage or vandalism to tribal authorities.

Official Status and Protection

The official status of the fort site and cemeteries is somewhat complex. While they have been documented by various historical organizations, they do not hold formal historic landmark designations that would trigger specific preservation requirements. Their protection depends largely on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s commitment to maintaining its cultural heritage.

Photography Guidelines

Photography at Fort McDowell historical sites should follow basic principles of respect. At the fort site, general photography for personal use is typically permitted, though commercial photography requires tribal permission. At both cemeteries, visitors should photograph only general views or specific graves for which they have family connections, avoiding wide-angle shots that capture multiple graves without context.

Educational Resources

Those seeking more information about Fort McDowell can consult several local resources. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Cultural Center offers exhibits on both tribal history and the military period. The Arizona Historical Society in Tempe maintains archives related to the fort, including some military correspondence and newspaper accounts. The Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott houses additional materials on Fort McDowell’s role in territorial military operations.

Conclusion

As the sun sets over the Salt River valley, casting long shadows across the weathered headstones of Fort McDowell’s cemeteries, we are reminded of the impermanence of human endeavors and the persistent strength of memory. This place, once a hive of military activity and frontier ambition, now stands as a quiet testament to the complex interplay of cultures, aspirations, and adaptations that defined Arizona’s territorial period.

The story of Fort McDowell transcends the simplified narratives that sometimes dominate Western American history. It was neither simply a heroic outpost of civilization nor merely an instrument of colonial displacement. Rather, it represents the layered complexity of the American frontier—a place where military strategy, indigenous resistance, economic opportunity, cultural exchange, and environmental challenges all converged to shape human experience.

The pioneers and community members who lived and died here left legacies that extend beyond their weathered grave markers. The soldiers who established the fort, the settlers who built communities in its shadow, the indigenous people who both resisted and adapted to its presence, and the journalists who documented these intersecting stories all contributed to the foundation of modern Arizona. Their experiences with scarcity, conflict, cooperation, and perseverance continue to resonate in a region still defined by similar challenges.

The enduring presence of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation represents perhaps the most significant legacy of this historical crossroads. Despite displacement, cultural suppression, and economic marginalization, the Yavapai people have maintained their connection to this landscape, transforming a symbol of their historical trauma into a center of contemporary cultural revitalization. Their stewardship of these historical sites ensures that multiple perspectives on the past remain visible.

As modern visitors walk among the scattered ruins and silent graves, they participate in an ongoing conversation about how we remember and interpret our shared past. Fort McDowell invites us to look beyond simplified historical narratives to recognize the complex humanity of those who came before—their ambitions and failures, their courage and cruelty, their endurance and adaptability in the face of an unforgiving landscape that ultimately outlasts all human presence.

Additional Resources

Bibliography of Historical Sources

• Bancroft, Hubert Howe. History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888. San Francisco: The History Company, 1889.
• Collins, William S. The Emerging Metropolis: Phoenix, 1944-1973. Arizona State Parks Board, 2005.
• Gifford, E.W. Northeastern and Western Yavapai. University of California Press, 1936.
• Lockwood, Frank C. Pioneer Days in Arizona. New York: Macmillan, 1932.
• Trimble, Marshall. Arizona: A Panoramic History of a Frontier State. Doubleday, 1977.
• Utley, Robert M. Frontier Regulars: The United States Army and the Indian, 1866-1891. Macmillan, 1973.

Relevant Historical Societies and Museums

• Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Cultural Center
  2231 N. Fort McDowell Road
  Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
• Arizona Historical Society
  1300 N. College Ave.
  Tempe, AZ 85281
• Sharlot Hall Museum
  415 W. Gurley St.
  Prescott, AZ 86301
• Arizona Pioneer Cemetery Research Project
  www.apcrp.org

Cemetery Records and Genealogical Resources

• Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board
  www.azgab.org
• Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Archives (Access through Cultural Center)
• National Archives and Records Administration Southwestern Region
  Fort Worth, TX (Contains military records related to Arizona territorial forts)
• Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records Genealogy Collection
  Phoenix, AZ

Related Ghost Towns in the Region

• Camp Verde: Another military fort that evolved into a contemporary community
• Goldfield: A mining ghost town near the Superstition Mountains
• Sunflower: A former mining community in the Mazatzal Mountains
• Bumble Bee: A stage station north of Phoenix along the Black Canyon Highway
• Agua Caliente: Former hot springs resort west of the Fort McDowell area