Cantonment Burgwin
Encyclopedia
Cantonment Burgwin was a fort located at 10 miles (16 km) outside of Taos
, Taos County, New Mexico
, United States, southeast of Ranchos De Taos. It was established in 1852 to protect the Taos Valley
from Utes
and Jicarilla Apache
s. It was named after Captain John H. K. Burgwin
in honor of his death in 1847 while fighting at the Siege of Pueblo de Taos
. He was buried there.
Fort Burgwin is known for its role in the Battle of Cieneguilla
, a battle fought between the 1st Cavalry Regiment (United States) and the Jicarilla Apache
.
The Fort Burgwin Research Center replaced the fort after being abandoned in 1860. It was designated a "cantonment
" to indicate its temporary character.
The site currently serves as the SMU
-in-Taos Cultural Institute.
Cantonment Burgwin was abandoned by the U. S. Army in May, 1860. Several structures were rebuilt starting in 1957 and continued until 2004, financed initially by Ralph Rounds until his death in 1960. The new structures were known as The Fort Burgwin Research Center. Later, William Clements, Chairman of the Board at Southern Methodist University
in Dallas, Texas
added funding for several other buildings on the hill slopes around Fort Burgwin. It now functions as a western campus for SMU.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American...
, Taos County, New Mexico
Taos County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*68.7% White*0.4% Black*6.2% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.9% Two or more races*20.1% Other races*55.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, United States, southeast of Ranchos De Taos. It was established in 1852 to protect the Taos Valley
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley is a village and alpine ski resort in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. Located 2200 feet above the town of Taos, the alpine environment of Taos Ski Valley offers a cool escape from the desert heat in the summer and perfect conditions for powder skiing in the winter. The...
from Utes
Ute Tribe
The Ute are an American Indian people now living primarily in Utah and Colorado. There are three Ute tribal reservations: Uintah-Ouray in northeastern Utah ; Southern Ute in Colorado ; and Ute Mountain which primarily lies in Colorado, but extends to Utah and New Mexico . The name of the state of...
and Jicarilla Apache
Jicarilla Apache
Jicarilla Apache refers to the members of the Jicarilla Apache Nation currently living in New Mexico and speaking a Southern Athabaskan language...
s. It was named after Captain John H. K. Burgwin
John Burgwin
John Henry K. Burgwin, American soldier, was a Second Lieutenant in 1833 when the US 1st Dragoons were established. He then served at Fort Gibson, in what is now Oklahoma. In 1847 he was a Captain in the 1st Dragoons, serving under Colonel Sterling Price...
in honor of his death in 1847 while fighting at the Siege of Pueblo de Taos
Siege of Pueblo de Taos
The Siege of Pueblo de Taos was the final battle during the main phase of the Taos Revolt, an insurrection against the United States during the Mexican-American War. It was also the final major engagement between American forces and insurgent forces in New Mexico during the war...
. He was buried there.
Fort Burgwin is known for its role in the Battle of Cieneguilla
Battle of Cieneguilla
The Battle of Cieneguilla was an engagement of the Jicarilla War involving a group of Jicarilla Apaches, their Ute allies, and the American 1st Cavalry Regiment on March 30, 1854 near what is now Pilar, New Mexico...
, a battle fought between the 1st Cavalry Regiment (United States) and the Jicarilla Apache
Jicarilla Apache
Jicarilla Apache refers to the members of the Jicarilla Apache Nation currently living in New Mexico and speaking a Southern Athabaskan language...
.
The Fort Burgwin Research Center replaced the fort after being abandoned in 1860. It was designated a "cantonment
Cantonment
A cantonment is a temporary or semi-permanent military or police quarters. The word cantonment is derived from the French word canton meaning corner or district, as is the name of the Cantons of Switzerland. In South Asia, the term cantonment also describes permanent military stations...
" to indicate its temporary character.
The site currently serves as the SMU
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
-in-Taos Cultural Institute.
Cantonment Burgwin was abandoned by the U. S. Army in May, 1860. Several structures were rebuilt starting in 1957 and continued until 2004, financed initially by Ralph Rounds until his death in 1960. The new structures were known as The Fort Burgwin Research Center. Later, William Clements, Chairman of the Board at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
added funding for several other buildings on the hill slopes around Fort Burgwin. It now functions as a western campus for SMU.