The park was established in 1970 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places a year later.

It is significant as "the best preserved and least altered of any military post associated with General Crook’s 1872-73 campaign against the northern Apaches.

The rapid increase in population for the mining economy disrupted the hunting and gathering environments of the local Native American tribes, the Dilzhe'e Apache and Yavapai.

The farmers requested military protection from the United States Army and, in 1865, although Arizona was still only a territory, the infantry arrived.

The last major military engagement with uprising natives took place in 1882 at the Battle of Big Dry Wash.