Fort Apache nails $12 million for renovation

Stan Bindell/Observer

Tourist Wayne Johnson stands in front of General CrookÕs cabin.

Stan Bindell/Observer Tourist Wayne Johnson stands in front of General CrookÕs cabin.

WHITE RIVER -- The White Mountain Apache Reservation offers fishing, hiking, camping and rafting. It also has the Hon-dah Casino, Sunrise Park Ski Resort and Kinishba Ruin.

There are 13 lakes on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. About three years ago, an Arizona Highways article focused on a rappelling area that the tribe offers.

But some consider Fort Apache the main attraction for tourists. It's about to get better because long overdue repairs at the fort are about to be addressed.

The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Interior Department and the White Mountain Apache Tribe reached an agreement in March for the renovation of Fort Apache on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

The federal government had let the fort fall into disrepair for the last 45 years, but in 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government was financially responsible for fixing up the fort.

Karl Hoerig, museum director for the White Mountain Apache Tribe, said he is excited that the funding is forthcoming. The White Mountain Apache Tribe is taking over the management of the fort with the intention of bringing it back.

Hoerig, an Anglo who graduated from the University of Arizona, said the White Mountain Apache Tribe, likes to work with the surrounding communities.

"This is a wonderful place and great community with a lot of opportunities to do good things," he said.

Hoerig, who has been on the job here more than three years, said he feels like a member of the community as he has been well accepted.

During the Rodeo-Chedeski Fire a couple years ago, race relations in the area were tense.

"There were a lot of misconceptions," he said.

Hoerig talks to the Kiwanis Club and other area organizations about tribal issues so he can dispel any misconceptions.

Federal funding

The White Mountain Apache Tribe will receive about $12 million from the federal government with the initial $3 million spent on stabilization of the buildings that are the worst off. Hoerig said the funds are expected to start arriving in November.

"Some of the buildings are about to fall down and need fire suppression installed," he said.

Hoerig said $12 million seems like a lot of money, but will not be enough to get all the buildings to the point they should be.

"So, we'll have to find matching funds," he said.

Fort Apache has 22 buildings including a museum, an Indian village and other buildings associated around an old school. General Crook's old cabin and some of the housing of the other soldiers are open for viewing by the public, but many are locked because they are unstable.

Fort Apache was active from 1870-1922. The tribe won a 5-4 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court when it ruled that the federal government had failed to maintain the historical buildings. The tribe plans to make into a tourism attraction when the renovations are complete.

The U.S. Interior Department has held the fort in trust since 1960.

Hoerig said the White Mountain Apache Tribe is pushing tourism including camping, fishing and elk hunting.

"But Fort Apache is the crown jewel of the White Mountain Apache Reservation," he said.

Petroglyphs are located behind Ft. Apache. These can be viewed at certain times of the day, but it can be precarious because of the rock formations. The tribe wants to establish a better viewing site.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe offers a walking tour at 9 a.m. seven days a week. These tours are historical.

Group experiences are available for those who want a traditional Apache meal, want to view the crown dance and see a presentation about the White Mountain Apache.

Historical perspective

Many of the members of the White Mountain Apache Reservation view Fort Apache in different ways. Many of the current members are descendants of scouts who served at Fort Apache.

"It's an important connection to their heritage, but to some it's a symbol of European domination," he said. "Some would like to bulldoze it down."

But not all tribal members feel this way.

Hoerig, who is Anglo, said Fort Apache came about because the White Mountain Apache band chiefs recognized it was in their best interest to stay on their homeland so they figured out a way they could cooperate.

Many of the White Mountain Apache view Fort Apache as a symbol of their resilience to survive.

Hoerig said part of his job as museum director is to educate the White Mountain Apache kids and community about the complicated history behind Fort Apache.

The museum, which is at the entrance of the fort, gives the history of the White Mountain Apache Tribe including a videotape that talks about the tribe's creation stories.

For more information about White Mountain Apache Tribe tourism or fort, telephone 928-338-4625.

(Stan Bindell, former Observer editor, is journalism and radio teacher at Hopi High School.)

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read