Historic Fort Huachuca - Sierra Vista, Arizona

Arizona is known for its warm temperatures and great places for retirees. However, Arizona is a great place for vacation. Sierra Vista is one of Arizona's must visit places, home to a variety of activities, events, hotels/motels, restaurants and much more.

Historic Fort Huachuca is one of these great attractions in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Fort Huachuca was built-in 1877 and helped to shape Arizona history. Fort Huachuca is now home of Arizona's last Army post.

Fort Huachuca was instrumental in Geronimo's surrender in 1886, home of the historic B Troop and the 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. Fort Huachuca was also home to the Buffalo Soldiers who fought bravely and earned theirs name while being Indian fighters.

Before visiting Fort Huachuca there are some rules that visitors should be aware of, Fort Huachuca is an active military installation visitors must be an US Citizen. It is necessary to get a pass at the main gate, and to get a pass; visitors must show photo identification before entering. A few other items visitors will need are proof of auto insurance, and vehicle registration.

A sure stop while visiting Fort Huachuca is the Old Post Cemetery first established by the 6th Cavalry Troopers when they suffered their first loss in 1877. An emotional place the Old Post Cemetery is a final resting place for many historic figures. Visitors are always moved when they discover the lone headstone with it's inscription "The Unknowns" this is the headstone for the many who lost their lives in the wilderness beyond the Fort's gates.

It is an important part of a visitor's tour of Fort Huachuca to visit the Fort Huachuca Museum & Annex. The Fort Museum is home of a 140 year old manuscript. The museum commemorates history from the first attempts to tame this country in 1846 through the Indian Scouts and 4th Cavalry during the surrender of Geranimo to the battles of World War II. Visitors can find much of our military's history at the Fort Huachuca Museum & Annex.

However, if espionage and surveillance holds your interest than a stop at the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Museum is a must. See the surveillance and espionage tools from the Civil War, view the notorious Enigma Machine coding device used during WWII by the Germans or perhaps a Cold War Jeep and Surveillance Drone. Also home of a 12' X 10' piece of the Berlin Wall complete with graffiti and political statements. This museum will only take about 1 hour to tour but well worth the time to see these amazing things and learn more of our country's history.

Reservoir Hill Overlook will be your last site at Fort Huachuca for the day. Located at the southern part of the overlook on Fort Huachuca this small patch of terrain where the U.S. Army Signal Corps send heliograph messages to other stations is where you will be standing. While taking in the magnitude of what transpired on this spot keep in mind this is one of the most majestic viewpoints of the San Pedro Valley.