Camp John A. Rucker

Camp John A. Rucker (1878-1896) - A U.S. Army Camp established in 1878 as Camp Supply (2) in present day Cochise County, Arizona. Renamed Camp Powers and by December 1878 renamed named Camp John A. Rucker for 1st Lt. John Anthony Rucker who drowned with a fellow officer while crossing a rain-swollen river near the camp. The camp was abandoned in 1880 and used intermittently until 1896. Also known as Camp Rucker.

Camp John A. Rucker History

Established on 29 Apr 1878 at the old San Bernardino Ranch and named Camp Supply. The name was changed to Camp Powers early in 1878 and by December 1878 the name was changed to Camp John A. Rucker. The post was named for 1st Lt. John Anthony Rucker who drowned along with 1st Lt. Austin Henley while crossing a rain-swollen river near the camp on 11 Jul 1878.

The camp was first established at the old San Bernardino Ranch in Cochise County to support troops pursuing the Chiricahua Apache Indians along the Mexican Border. The camp was later moved six miles up on the White River.

Camp Rucker was abandoned on 4 Nov 1880 and the garrison was removed to Fort Apache. The last post return was made in October 1880. The camp may have been used as a temporary camp through the 1890s.

Current Status

Some remains on on Coronado National Forest land in Cochise County, Arizona. Officer's quarters, a barn and other buildings still standing, other remains still visible.

USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 24045

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: On Coronado National Forest land in Cochise County, Arizona.

Maps & Images

Lat: 31.753724 Long: -109.3599379

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: 5492'

Sources:

Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 47.
Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 14

Links:

Visited: No