Fort Bliss, El Paso

Fort Bliss was established as a military post in 1848 both to protect the region from Indian attack and to enforce US authority over the region which had recently been obtained following the Mexican War. During the US Civil War, the post became the headquarters for the Conferederate forces of the Southwest, followed by its role in outfitting troops charged with capturing Apache chief Geronimo. Today the base is used as a US Army Air Defense Center.

The history of the base is recalled at the Fort Bliss Museum (Bldg. 5051, 915-568-4518), housed in a replica of an adobe fort. The museum contains exhibits on the uniforms and tools used by the soliders as well as displays such as General "Blackjack" Pershing's riding crop used during his search for Pancho Villa. Also on the base, the US Air Defense Artillery Museum (Bldg. 5000, 915-568-5412) is the only one of its kind in the US, with exhibits on the history of air defense including weapons, ammunition, photographs, and dioramas.

At the Robert E. Lee entrance gate to Ft. Bliss stands a sculpture based on a painting by G. Robert Snead and executed in bronze by sculptor Jimmie Bemont. The memorial honors the Buffalo Soldiers, the Indians' name for the feared and respected African-American soldiers who defended the region during the late 19th century.

Located on Fred Wilson Road east of US 54.

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