The park interprets the rich and troubled history of relations between the Apache and other Native American tribes at the fort, which was converted into a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school after its military use ended.

The park includes a landscape of 27 historic buildings, ruins and remnants of others, and the fort's former parade ground.

[3][4] The fort was established in 1870 as a temporary military camp, and was placed on a more permanent footing ten years later.

It was established as a boarding school providing educational services to several Native tribes in the region.

Although it was located on Apache tribal land, the school was mainly intended to educate Navajo youth, by removing them from their reservation and encouraging the adoption of non-Native customs.