Camp Naco

Category: Attractions
Category: Landmark & Other Notables

Camp Naco is a cornerstone of the Buffalo Soldiers’ history in Arizona.

Established in 1911 as a tent camp in Naco, Arizona, the 9th and 10th Cavalry of the Buffalo Soldiers were assigned from Fort Huachuca to Camp Naco to prevent Mexican Revolution hostilities from spilling across the border.

Camp Naco was one of only two such facilities constructed of adobe and the only one still standing today. It passed into private ownership in 1960.

Today, it is part of the Naco Heritage Alliance and is owned by the City of Bisbee.

With its first official mission statement now in place

Revealing hidden stories of human experience in the Borderlands by engaging communities, preserving the past, and educating the world as stewards of Camp Naco, we’re reminded that history is not just what we remember, but what we choose to uncover and protect. In the face of erasure and oversimplification, we are committed to lifting up the full complexity of the borderlands: its communities, its contradictions, and its resilience.

The Camp Naco Project

Established in January 2023, under the auspices of the City of Bisbee and guided by the Naco Heritage Alliance, the vision is to preserve Camp Naco as a destination that:

  1. Honors the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in the American Southwest
  2. Advances the diverse arts, culture, & history of the Arizona Borderlands
  3. Serves as a community resource for the residents of Naco, Arizona

This project embodies several activities whose impact will span across all three of the above pillars and be incorporated into the architectural and community programming for Camp Naco:

  • Exhibits
  • Tours
  • Educational Programs
  • Living History
  • Events
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Wellness
  • Research
  • Workshops & Studios
  • Library
  • Housing
  • Community Gathering

Watch this latest update on Camp Naco’s progress.

 

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