Fort Bayard (2)

 (1866-1900) - A U.S. Army post established in 1866 after the U.S. Civil War near present day Santa Clara in Grant County, New Mexico. Named for Brigadier General George D. Bayard, who died 14 Dec 1862 of wounds received at Fredericksburg during the U.S. Civil War. Abandoned as a garrisoned post in 1900 and became U.S. Army Tuberculosis Sanitarium.

History
Established 21 Aug 1866 during the Sioux Indian Wars to protect miners from hostile Indians. The post was built out as an open plan, four company post built around a central parade. The officer's quarters line the northwest side of the parade and the four enlisted barracks lined the opposite side.

Discontinued as a garrisoned post on 2 Jan 1900 and turned over for use as a U.S. Army Tuberculosis Sanitarium. On 1 May 1922 Fort Bayard became a VA hospital. In 1965 the State of New Mexico assumed control of the post as a long term health care facility and it remained so until it was abandoned in 2010.

Current Status
Abandoned Veterans Administration Hospital now state owned near Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico.

Sources:
 * , page 522
 * ,page 97-98

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Bayard
 * Fort Bayard