San Carlos Apache History

Anthropologists say that the Apaches are a southern branch of the Athabascan family that came to the Southwest fron the far north, probably about the 10th century. Their language and culture are similar to that of the Eskimo cultures. The Apaches were greatly feared during the mid-19th century as pioneers pushed west and the U.S. Army forced the Apaches from their own land. This period produced the Apaches' most notable leaders such as Mangas Coloradas, Cochise, Eskiminzin, Geronimo, Juh, and Victorio.

The San Carlos Apache Reservation and Tribe were named after the San Carlos River, which was discovered by Fr. Francisco Garces in 1775 and named to honor Carlos III of Spain. Before establishment of the Reservation, the U.S. Army had a small post at San Carlos under the authority of Fort Grant. A camp was set up near the confluence of the Gila and San Carlos Rivers. The Reservation was enacted in 1871 and reduced five times; in 1873, 1874, 1876, 1877, and 1902. This was because of the discovery of natural resources such as copper and silver in the Miami and Clifton-Morenci area. Also, the reduction in the Gila Valley was attributed to the need for water by Mormons who settled the area.

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