What clients say about Fort Selden Historic Site in Radium Springs (NM)
I hadn't been here in several years and was pleased to see the upgrades. The museum is very nice and the young lady working there was friendly and knowledgeable.
We were happy to learn that admission if free for NM seniors on the first Sunday of the month so we were not charged the reasonable $5 entry fee.
Sage the savant was extremely welcoming and helpful answering our questions. She went above and beyond in investigating my wife’s deceased relative place of burial in NM.. also it was a great museum!
I'm so glad I decided to stop at this old adobe fort and museum! The museum is small, but the artifacts are nicely placed with well written placards.
The grounds are much larger than expected. There's ongoing effort by the state of New Mexico to keep this historical site from melting back into the dirt it sits on. The ranger recommended viewing the outside relics first, which was a great suggestion. On hot days, try to tour the outside exhibits first, as well.
I visited on a Sunday, so there were few visitors. The director, Emily, was a wealth of information! I asked so many questions, but she enthusiastically answered them all.
There's plenty of room to park RVs or trailers. They were working on the entrance that includes a very well maintained handicap access path.
Sage greeted/guided/informed us and we had an amazing time.
They have stuff for kids and yet still incredibly interesting for adults.
Make. Your. Adobe. Brick. First. (So it can dry)
Fort Selden, located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, was established in 1865 to protect settlers and travelers in the Mesilla Valley from Apache raids. Situated along the Rio Grande, the fort played a crucial role in the region's development, providing a base for U.S. Army troops including around 400 buffalo soldiers who patrolled the surrounding area. The soldiers stationed at Fort Selden were primarily infantry and cavalry, tasked with maintaining peace and order on the frontier.
Among the many individuals who lived at Fort Selden during its active years was the family of Arthur MacArthur Sr., who served as a military officer there. It was within the walls of this frontier fort that his son, Douglas MacArthur, later to become a five-star general and a prominent figure in World War II and the Korean War, spent a portion of his childhood. Though his time in New Mexico was relatively brief, Fort Selden holds the distinction of being one of his early homes.
The fort was abandoned in 1891 as the need for military outposts in the area diminished. Today, the ruins of Fort Selden are preserved as a New Mexico State Monument, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the lives of those who lived and served on the American frontier, including the early years of a future general. The museum boasts an impressive array of 19th-century artifacts. Currently, active efforts are underway to rebuild some of the fort's structures. I had spoken with several workers, who displayed great enthusiasm for their role in preserving this historical location. If you have any interest in local history, it's definitely worth a visit.
The volunteers who run this place have done an amazing job, with very little resources. The history of the place is easily understood with the displays inside the museum and outside at the fort ruins. The interactive displays were especially impressive.
Well worth the visit. You enter the museum, which has a lot of information about the fort and people who occupied it. Then you exit into the fort ruins where there were informative plaques about the different buildings and their uses. Several old wagons around the fort too. Really enjoyed it.
We were able to time our visit for the morning guided tour. First, we had some time to appreciate the artifacts and documentation inside the museum. Outside, Kevin was an excellent guide through many interesting details of the history of the site, the region, and the extensive preservation efforts that have occurred there.
Great piece of history. It's well laid out and the park provides both a written guide and a qr code link to an audio guide. Lots of history involving this fort and its place in New Mexico history. Very friendly park workers willing to provide information about the history of the site. Even includes hands on activities for children. Great little visitors center added additional information including artifacts found around the historical site.
This was cool to see. Someday may be all gone. They had a couple of activities for the kids. My son liked making the adobe block. They also had a nice little museum. Nice little stop on our way.
Only slightly off the beaten path, we stumbled on it while driving north, and decided to check it out. It is a worthwhile stop for an hour or two, as it is lightly visited yet really gives you a sense for what it was like to be in the military in a faraway post during that time in history (not fun, lonely and often painfully boring, with few comforts). A hat tip to Buffalo Soldiers, regiments of which also served here . Interesting exhibit of artifacts inside as well. Interesting fact awaits about a young Douglas MacArthur.
Small but important and gradually vanishing site of a frontier cavalry post. Good to see what it would have actually looked like, instead of what John Wayne would have you believe.
Very interesting historical site. Cheap admission for adults, and plenty of cool artifacts and ruins to look at and learn about. The staff was also super cool!
Visited in November 2021. Sorry it has taken me 2 years to write a review. I love any place that has anything to do with military history. Fort Seldon didn't disappoint! You're free to walk around at your own pace, and if you happen to have questions, someone is more than happy to answer them.
Had a nice time for the luminary lights event just wish there was live music & beverages for adults. Thought the Fort Selden winery would team up with this place for the special event. The only thing about the weather was it's cold & windy! Wish there could've been more Xmas lights cause it was dark when trying to take pictures.
Super cute place and they have some interactive areas for children. Sidenote: I went into the bathroom and touched my sweater and there was a bee stuck to it that I didn’t see And it stung me in my hand. (It was painful lol) That being said, the staff inside was so fast-acting with first aid! They had Benadryl, tweezers And a wipe handy and were very kind.
5 stars for the staff and the views ??❤️
So much history and the site of the ruins where interesting had me stepping back in time thinking how it was back then.The rangers where nice & very informative that made the experience great.. And with that I know I'll be back again..
The staff are very attentive, talkative, and knowledgeable.
Favorite part was the museum and just talking to the care taker staff who approached us outside and offered to answer any questions. I had quite a few and was very pleased with how much she knew. Probably a good 15m side chat.
Indoor Museum was fantastic. Really enjoyed it.
The self guided tour can be done via audio or a print out. The print out is a solid 16 pages with a map and several pictures.
Self guided tour has 17 locations / stops. Lots of interesting info.
Self guided tour can comprehensively be done in about 45-60 minutes. Museum is maybe another 15 or so minutes.
Entrance fee was $5 per adult, which was well worth it for both the self guided tour and museum all being included.
The fort itself is made of adobe and is rapidly decaying. Probably won't be anything left in 30 years.
The staff are trying to do their best with upkeep, but it is a losing battle with adobe. Without the staff, it would probably all be gone in 10 years or less.
I'm glad we stopped by and was pleasantly surprised with the indoor Museum and self guided tour book, as well as the friendly staff
Ruins of the fort tell a story of life in the fort. The Buffalo Soliders were stationed here to protect and serve. Nice museum and short film prior to walking around the fort. Dog friendly.
I appreciate the tenicity of the site and the maintenance of adobe structures, but the historical film even makes it sound like it was a fort very few people cared about. But people wanting to learn more about "Buffalo Soldiers" may want to stop by.
Great multicultural historical location, but the museum and the fort is only from 1865 to present you have to ask to find out about the previous history which I just learned this section of New Mexico was claimed by Arizona during the Confederacy for 2 weeks and prior to that of course it was Republic of Texas land, taken from Mexico who attempted to take it from the Native Americans I'm guessing Comanche and Apache
Easy to access. The informational displays were clear and provided details about the fort's history. The 8-minute video introduction was just perfect for me. The rangers on duty we're super friendly and share their expertise. It was an educational experience wrapped in a fun envelope.
