First Commanding Officer's Quarters

The White Mountain Apache — Ndee, in their own language — had farmed these river forks since the 1600s when the Army arrived in 1870 and raised Camp Ord on a bluff above the White River. This log cabin, built in 1871, is the oldest thing left standing. General Crook recruited scouts here, and twelve Apache men later earned the Medal of Honor guiding the Army against other bands. The post was meant to hold the Ndee to their reservation. Today the tribe keeps its own history at the fort.

What the plaque says

(101). . , This log cabin is the oldest surviving building at Fort Apache. The westernmost of a series of eight log cabins built in 1871 to form Officers' Row, this cabin was designated the Commanding Officer's Quarters. It was originally an 18 by 20 foot log pen with a canvas floor. A second pen, attached by an enclosed, ten-foot wide dogtrot was added later. Further additions include a log extension on the northwest side and wood frame additions constructed after the installation of a steam-powered sawmill in 1872. Like all officers' quarters constructed prior to 1883, the kitchen was housed in a detached shed behind the cabin., The log quarters leaked and were drafty, and were gradually replaced by frame, and then in some cases, stone buildings.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Apache Historic Park — 0.2 mi
  The Army fort that became a boarding school — and came back to the Apache
• Mount Baldy — 26 mi
  Dzil Ligai Si'an, the sacred White Mountain, and the summit you stop short of

More markers nearby

• Theodore Roosevelt School — steps away
• White Mountain Apache War Memorial — 3.4 mi
• Kinishba Ruins — 4.0 mi