People of the Stronghold
The people of the Stronghold were known for their deep knowledge of the land, their ability to move silently through rugged terrain, and their strong community bonds. For decades, this area served as both their home and their sanctuary, shaped by resilience, skill, and an intimate connection with the mountains.
The Hohokom, Mogollon and Anasazi peoples
There is evidence these people inhabited the Dragoon Mountains 800 to 1300 years ago. Leaving behind petroglyphs and pottery shards, you can walk along the dry washes in the Dragoon Mountains and find grinding holes for seeds and acorns. Look under boulders for the petroglyphs, but remember not to touch them!
Chief Cochise
Chief Cochise and his band occupied the area during the mid-19th century after conflicts with the United States and Mexico over land and resources. The Stronghold’s granite domes, canyons, and forests provided concealment, vantage points, and defensive positions, making it difficult for military forces to attack or capture Apache families. Apache groups built temporary shelters and moved between the domes and surrounding areas to hunt, gather, and avoid detection. The image on the right shows the granddaughter of Cochise.
Geronimo
After the Bascom Affair in 1861, Cochise and his followers retreated to the rugged canyons and granite domes to evade the U.S. Army. From the Stronghold, the Apache conducted raids on nearby settlements and supply lines, using their knowledge of the terrain to avoid capture. Later, Geronimo also used the area while leading guerrilla campaigns against U.S. soldiers and settlers. The Stronghold’s natural features allowed the Apache to store supplies, move safely between canyons, and defend themselves effectively, making it a key site during the Apache Wars.
In 1872, Cochise negotiated a peace treaty with the U.S. government, allowing his people to settle on the Chiricahua Reservation in southeastern Arizona, where he lived until his death in 1874. After Cochise’s death, Geronimo and other Apache leaders continued resistance, conducting raids and evading capture through the 1880s. Geronimo was finally forced to surrender in 1886, and the Chiricahua Apache were removed from their homeland and sent to distant reservations in Florida, Alabama, and later Oklahoma, ending their centuries-long presence in southeastern Arizona. The photo shows the Apache en route to a reservation in Florida.
Amerind Museum
Amerind seeks to foster and promote knowledge and understanding of the Native Peoples of the Americas through research, education, conservation, and community engagement.
A museum, art gallery, and research center dedicated to archaeology, Native cultures, and Western art. Located in Dragoon, Arizona, and surrounded by the spectacular boulders of Texas Canyon.