About this Unit
Ft. Wingate Army Depot, located near Gallup, New Mexico, has a military history dating back to 1862 when it was established as a U.S. Army post to support operations during the Navajo campaigns. Originally known as Fort Fauntleroy and later Fort Lyon, it became Fort Wingate in 1868 and played a significant role in the forced relocation of the Navajo people, known as the Long Walk. The installation later served as a munitions depot, particularly during World War II and the Cold War, supporting ammunition storage and demilitarization activities. The depot was closed in 1993, but its legacy remains significant in the context of both regional and military history.
Historical Facts
• Establishment and Location: Fort Wingate Army Depot is located near Gallup, New Mexico, and was originally established as a military fort in 1860. Its location was strategically chosen to support western expansion and to provide a base for military operations in the region.
• Navajo Long Walk: The original Fort Wingate played a significant role in the tragic history of the Navajo people. In 1864, it served as a primary departure point for the forced relocation known as the "Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo.
• Depot Transformation: The facility was re-designated as an Army Depot in 1918, transitioning from a cavalry post to a major ammunition storage and testing site, supporting U.S. military operations through both World Wars and the Cold War.
• World War II Role: During World War II, Fort Wingate Army Depot became a critical hub for storing and shipping munitions, explosives, and other military supplies, employing thousands of workers at its peak.
• Manhattan Project Connection: Munitions from Fort Wingate were shipped to the Trinity Site for the first atomic bomb test in 1945, linking the depot to one of the most significant events in military history.
• Missile Testing: In the 1960s and 1970s, Fort Wingate was used as a launch site for testing solid-fueled missiles, including the Pershing and Redstone missiles, due to its vast, remote landscape.
• Native American Land: The land surrounding Fort Wingate has deep cultural and spiritual significance for local Native American tribes, including the Navajo and Zuni. After the depot’s closure, ongoing discussions have focused on land return and environmental cleanup.
• Closure and Cleanup: The depot was officially closed in 1993 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Its closure initiated one of the largest environmental remediation projects in New Mexico, addressing unexploded ordnance and contamination.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Parts of the former depot have become a sanctuary for local wildlife, including elk, deer, and raptors, as the area undergoes environmental restoration.
• Haunted Legends: Fort Wingate is reputed to be haunted, with stories circulating of ghostly soldiers, mysterious lights, and unexplained phenomena, making it a subject of local folklore and paranormal interest.
