A Cornerstone of Buffalo Soldier
History in Arizona
Groundbreaking News!
On January 30, 2025, the Naco Heritage Alliance (NHA) reached a critical milestone. Working with our partner Durazo Construction Corporation we took the plunge and broke ground, formally beginning Phase One of the rehabilitation of Camp Naco. Find out more about the event HERE
Jeremy Fricke Named Camp Naco's First
Executive Director
The Naco Heritage Alliance is excited to welcome
Jeremy Fricke as the organization's first Executive
Director! He will oversee the Camp Naco project in partnership with the City of Bisbee.
The vision of the Naco Heritage Alliance is to reveal the hidden stories of human experience in the Borderlands by engaging communities, preserving the past, and educating the world
as stewards of Camp Naco.
Discover the History
With the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, commanders at Fort Huachuca established tent camp at the point where the El Paso and Southwestern railroad line crossed the border into Mexico, at Naco, Arizona. It was initially manned by the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, and later the 25th Infantry, collectively known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Its mission was to protect the railroad, prevent smuggling, and maintain the peace.
In 1919 a permanent camp, named Camp Naco, was constructed by the US War Department’s Mexican Border Defense Construction Project, a response to unsettled conditions along the US/Mexico border. Part of a 1,200-mile chain of thirty-five permanent military camps, Camp Naco was one of only two constructed of adobe. When the camps were decommissioned in 1923, most were deconstructed so that their materials could be used elsewhere, but Camp Naco, built of adobe, remained in place. As a result, it remains the only camp to retain its historic integrity today.
Naco Heritage Alliance
Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of archaeologists, military historians, Buffalo Soldiers and local citizens, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, the Naco Heritage Alliance, was created to preserve Camp Naco. Because of their work, Camp Naco was purchased by the City of Bisbee in 2018, and four years later was named one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Places, bringing national attention to the need to save the site. That same year an award-winning Story Map created by a team led by The University of Arizona students highlighted the rich history of the Camp, illuminating the important role of the Buffalo Soldiers as effective peacekeepers within the segregated military of the period. Combined, these milestones paved the way for substantial grant funding in 2022 from both the Mellon Foundation and the State of Arizona to rehabilitate Camp Naco.
In 2023, the City of Bisbee initiated hiring a team of specialists to begin rehabilitation efforts and to pave the way for a lasting Naco Heritage Alliance to guide the process. Through a series of stakeholder meetings and events, we are reaching out to the local community, as well as those groups who will benefit from the rehabilitation, to explore a wide range of future uses for Camp Naco, both historical and contemporary.
The Naco Heritage Alliance respectfully acknowledges that Camp Naco resides on the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples, including the Sobaipuri and Chiricahua Apache. We, as an organization, are committed to building sustainable relationships with the affiliated descendant tribes of the Camp Naco site through educational and community outreach programming to ensure their history is honored and not forgotten.
Saturday, September 20, 4pm 2118 West Newell St., Naco, AZ Join us for an exciting walkthrough at Camp Naco. Explore the historic grounds, learn about its significance, and immerse yourself in a unique experience. The Camp Naco project is at a pivotal point, and we are inviting the public to view our progress and see our plans for the future. This in-person, free event is a great opportunity to connect with history by learning more about the Buffalo Soldiers and the surrounding area's history. Don't miss out on this chance to step back in time and discover the charm of Camp Naco. The walkthrough will be led by Executive Director Jeremy Fricke and Construction Manager Mike Normand . NOTE: This event is limited to only 40 people. This will also be the last chance to see some of the buildings before rehabilitation starts late September, so don't miss out on this opportunity!
Come and celebrate the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers! The 2025 Tribute event, hosted by the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers (SWABS) honors the legacy of the Buffalo Soldier Stamp with the theme:
“The Buffalo Soldier Beyond the Call.” This memorable event features keynote speaker Colonel Richard “Dick” Toliver, USAF (Retired), a distinguished Air Force Veteran and author, as well as a presentation by National Buffalo Soldier Historian Dr. John P. Langellier, and the presentation of the SWABS Buffalo Soldier Legacy Award. With live entertainment by Freddie J with jazz, old-school R&B, and great food. Camp Naco is proud to sponsor this free event for the community. Thanks as well to our co-sponsors, the Sierra Vista African American Community Coalition and the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona.
Rothery Education Center 3305 E. Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ Saturday, June 21st, 10am-5pm $5 suggested donation. In collaboration with the Sierra Vista African American Community Coalition, the Naco Heritage Alliance is proud to sponsor this fun filled family event! Featuring music by Reggae artists, R&B hits, African drumming, DJ’s, poetry, featured speakers & more. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth! Schedule of performers (subject to change): 10:00am Opening: Queen Mambo 10:15 Welcome: Queen A/ Bernadette/Ashiya 10:30 Najashi: Reggae music 10:40 Sharon Simonton 11:00 Baba Shibambo: African Drumming 12:00 Buffalo Soldier Presentation -Demetria Warren 12:30 Boots on the ground line dance - Skate crew 12:45 Juneteenth Mexico Celebration film in Conference room 12:45 Halima Human Design Presentation 1:00 Poetry reading 1:15 Gato Afro: Latino music 2:00 Sisters on Point - Tribute to Angie Stone 3:00 Reggae Headliner: Ranking Joe
Clues of the Past: Tales from a Camp Naco Archaeology Internship Thursday, May 29, 4:30pm 915 South Tovreaville Road Join two of our former interns, Madeline Colley and Hailey Smith (Cochise College), as they share a presentation of their experiences at the historic Camp Naco site. This is also a chance for the public to view a display of many of the artifacts they studied and documented over the course of the past 9 months. Free event, refreshments will be provided. Photo: Taryn Smith
The Original Cactus League Baseball on the Border April 26, 10am-Noon Local historian Mike Anderson will be leading a tour of the original Camp Naco baseball field, located at the corner of W. Newell Street and S. Willson Road, and sharing the history of the original Cactus League. The original Cactus League was a loose consortium of teams during the first decade and a half of the 20th Century from Bisbee, Douglas, Clifton, Morenci, Cananea, Fort Huachuca, Tucson and sometimes Naco. Afterwards, the event continues at Naco Elementary where Mike will share a presentation on historic baseball. This event is free to attend, join us!
Contractors Open House Date: Tuesday, March 25 from 11am – 2pm Location: Bisbee Council Chambers - 915 S. Tovreaville Rd. In collaboration with Naco Heritage Alliance and Durazo Construction Find out more about upcoming opportunities at this informal event. We are seeking licensed, bonded and insured contractors in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, painting, concrete, windows and doors, carpentry, drywall, and low voltage cabling. Free to attend, refreshments provided.
