Fort Naco and what's in a name

 A little introduction:

This area of Arizona is full of history. We have been to this area now for the third time. First the winter 2014/15 then again winter 2018/19, and noticed while driving into the city of Sierra Vista the name of “Buffalo Soldier Trail“ on one of the major streets leading to the shopping area. Sierra Vista is a military town majored over a century from Fort Huachuca near by. We were told the “Buffalo Soldiers” were moved long ago to the Border Town Naco not too far away.  Benno had been curious to see the Fort Naco or what is left of it. Last year the name Naco had been in the news with problems of an increase of illegal migrants being picked up from that area as it is a border town to Mexico. This Fort, also called Camp Naco is the only remaining border fort that had been constructed during the Mexican Revolution. Naco was one of the over 30 forts for American troops protecting the border to Mexico during that time.

Sierra Vista’s Fort Huachuca assigned it’s regiment of African-American Buffalo Soldiers to the then new build Naco outpost from 1911 to 1924.

So far with the historical info.

So we took the South Buffalo Soldier Trail past Fort Huachuca onto Hwy 92 and further on to the South Willson Road which is leading past Camp Naco to the Border Town Naco. It is a very scenic drive from Sierra Vista. Of course we stopped at Camp Naco to really inspect it.

This and following photos views from the S Buffalo Soldier Trail

How many of you are wondering where the road and trail name “Buffalo Soldier Trail” comes from, it might be of interest to you. So who are African-American Buffalo Soldiers and why are they so called?

The American Plains Indians who fought against these soldiers referred to the black cavalry troops as “buffalo soldiers” because of their dark, curly hair, which resembled a buffalo’s coat and because of their fierce nature of fighting.” The nickname soon became synonymous with all African-American regiments formed in 1866

Well, some of the barracks are still standing and a few million dollar restoration seems to be taking place at the fort. However, visitors have to stand behind the fenced off compound. Next, we drove over to the town of Naco, right around the corner. If there was not much to see at the fort, this place had seen better days. The border fence and now defunct border crossing can be visited next to a bar and pub. 

These are the officers quarters

This is the old border crossing, the new one is from S Naco Hwy

The day was beautiful and we decided to go for a hike. While heading south on Hwy 92, I had spotted a few cars parked up a little path that looked like an area from where you could hike into the mountains. We found it and yes, there was a clearing with parked cars. We decided to get out and to follow a foot trail.

The trail into the National Forest starts from Hwy 92 at the E Hunter Canyon Rd

We could take the truck to the pinned spot

What a nice path along a wash and sometimes dense brush, all uphill. The dogs loved it! We did too and even though we didn’t wear our hiking boots, it was doable. After quite a ways up Benno said, “Lets turn around and get the truck.”  You see there is a dirt road leading quite a ways up into the mountains right from the parking area. The drive was not difficult, but it’s quite an incline until you come to a little clearing and a dead end. From there a foot path is leading further uphill. 

This foot trail leads further up into the mountains

Just as we arrived a couple with their dog came down. They had been looking for gemstone and were equipped with a hammer and pry bar. The fellow gave me a sample from his finds out of his rucksack. His companion told us that she had seen fairly fresh droppings that she was sure came from a bear. 

That made us think not to venture too far into the woods at this time, but we still had lots of beautiful views around that area.  We will be back to explore some more for sure.