Fort Apache

Remember the movie Fort Apache?  Well forget it.  I remember it being a big stockade made of heavy logs that was constantly being threatened by the local Indians.  The movie was made in 1948 and starred John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple and Ward Bond, among others.    Cochise was the Indian protagonist.  

All along the road are Matilaja, the true California Poppy.  It was kind of disconcerting to see these lovely flowers along the way to this famous outpost. 

The fort itself is totally open, with buildings around the perimeter of a large parade ground.  In the early 1900's, it was one of the infamous Indian boarding schools for both boys and girls.

There are many buildings that are original and are being restored.

Some are still in ruins, like this soldiers quarters.

But the Captains quarters looks to be in fine shape, and it looks like people are living here, even though it's a museum.

We headed up the road to the cemetery, because I'm such a sucker for them, but the road was very muddy and slick, that heavy red mud you just know you will get stuck in.  And the road also had some steep climbs and tight curves.  I think it was designed that way on purpose.  We opted out.

This is the White river, you just would never know it.  The Indians had cultivated corn along the banks, and when first encountering the white soldiers, offered them corn and fodder for their horses.  This was
back in Custer days when the order was to annihilate the indians.

The "white mountain" in the background provides the anchor for the White Mountain Apache Tribe here today, which encompasses 1.67 million acres.  Like most tribes, they are trying to improve their education, create more recreational opportunities along their 400 miles of rivers, and grow an economy.