- City:
- Fort Apache
- Site Type:
- Education and Health, Civic Facilities, Parks and Recreation, Archaeology and History, Monuments and Memorials, Archaeology
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Indian Emergency Conservation Work (CCC-ID)
Description
“Kinishba Ruins was constructed by the Pueblo people and occupied as early as 800 until as late as 1400 A.D. Byron Cummings, director of the Arizona State Museum, and his students began excavation and reconstruction of Kinishba in 1931. In 1934 Cummings requested funds from the Civilian Conservation Corps-Indian Division to hire 25 local Apache laborers. Between 1934 and 1937 Kinishba also served as an archaeological field school where Cummings trained more than 70 students. In 1938 and 1939 Cummings and Apache enrollees continued to excavate and restore the ruins; they also constructed a small museum and residence. Cummings hoped to establish the site as a unit of the National Park Service, but in the absence of further federal funding, the reconstructed buildings and the new museum began to fall into ruin a second time. Today the site is cared for by the White Mountain Apache Tribe.”
Source notes
"The New Deal in Arizona: Connections to Our Historic Landscape," University of Arizona, The New Deal in Arizona Chapter of the National New Deal Preservation Association. https://www.library.arizona.edu/newdeal/map.html The above quote and additional photos can be found at: https://content.library.arizona.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/NewDeal/id/231Contribute to this Site
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal site.
Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal SiteOne comment on “Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark – Fort Apache AZ”
Join the Conversation
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
sandra murphy
It is such a shame to see such a pivotal architectural structure so poorly cared for. It is one of the most outstanding pueblos that I have viewed (have seen Mesa Verde, Aztec Ruins, Chaco Canyon etc). The fine construction is jaw droppingly impressive. My heart bleeds to see it in such a state of decay.