Jim Mitchell

Ft. Wingate Army Depot, located near Gallup, New Mexico, has a military history dating back to 1862 when it was established as a U.S. Army post to support operations during the Navajo campaigns. Originally known as Fort Fauntleroy and later Fort Lyon, it became Fort Wingate in 1868 and played a significant role in the forced relocation of the Navajo people, known as the Long Walk. The installation later served as a munitions depot, particularly during World War II and the Cold War, supporting ammunition storage and demilitarization activities. The depot was closed in 1993, but its legacy remains significant in the context of both regional and military history.