Camp Naco Story Map

April 19, 2022

Social Equity, Identity + Community and Heritage Conservation

Overview
The Camp Naco story map tells the story of the camp and its meaning both to the descendants of these soldiers and to African American members of the military and their families. $18,789 Funded by Arizona Humanities and Arizona Preservation Foundation.
Who
Helen Erickson, Project Director, Heritage Conservation Program, Sarah McDowell MLA/MSUP and Teresa DeKoker MLA
Where
Camp Naco, Arizona
When
January - June 2022
Categories
Camp Naco

Camp Naco in Southeastern Arizona. Photo by Helen Erickson.

Project Overview

At the time of the Mexican Revolution, a string of 35 military camps were established along the U.S. Southwestern border with Mexico from Brownsville, Texas to Arivaca, Arizona. Camp Naco, built of adobe, is the only one of these facilities remaining today. Staffed by the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry of Buffalo Soldiers, it bears witness to the service of these segregated troops at the beginning of the 20th century. The story map will tell the story of the camp and its meaning both to the descendants of these soldiers and to African American members of the military and their families today. For visitors to the camp it will provide a virtual guide to the site. For national and state groups that celebrate the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, it will provide a way to connect the work of these organizations to one another.

This project is led by Helen Erickson, project director, Heritage Conservation Program, and CAPLA students Sarah McDowell MLA, MS Urban Planning and Teresa DeKoker MLA.

Community Partners

  • Naco Heritage Alliance
  • Archaeology Southwest
  • AZ Geo

Gallery

Camp Naco, Arizona
Camp Naco, Arizona
Camp Naco, Arizona (Buffalo Soldiers)
Camp Naco, Arizona (Buffalo Soldier reenactment)
Camp Naco, Arizona
Camp Naco, Arizona
Camp Naco, Arizona
Camp Naco, Arizona

Latest CAPLA News, Projects and Profiles

Block Up

CAPLA Lecturer and Alumni Win 2025 AIA Arizona Ideas Competition

Senior Lecturer in Architecture Oscar Lopez and three CAPLA alumni won first place in the 2025 AIA Arizona Ideas Competition for their proposal “BLOCK UP.” The project reimagines the urban tower as a vertical civic framework for Phoenix, integrating public space, housing and climate-responsive design into a shared, adaptable structure. Developed through close collaboration between Lopez and alumni Sal Arellano, Trevor Watson and Cameron Noble, the proposal explores how density can expand community and access beyond the street level, highlighting CAPLA’s impact on forward-thinking, civic-minded design in Arizona.

The white facade of Mission San Xavier del Bac is seen against a clear blue sky. A paved path leading to the mission passes through an earthen wall fronted by cactus and other desert plants.

Rehabilitation of the Retablo Facade at San Xavier del Bac | Lecture by Starr Herr-Cardillo

Learn about ongoing work to preserve decorative finishes and restore missing and damaged elements of the retablo facade of Mission San Xavier del Bac. This work is supported by the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, administered by the National Park Service.

Bike/Pedestrain

Applied Active Transportation Class Aims to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Safety on Campus

A CAPLA studio led by Senior Lecturer Joey Iuliano is turning student interest into action by focusing on improving walking and cycling conditions on campus. In collaboration with Parking & Transportation Services and the Office of Sustainability, students analyze crash data and develop design proposals for key campus corridors to improve safety and connectivity. Inspired in part by last fall’s fatal traffic accident near campus, the course aims to produce practical ideas that could inform future campus planning.

See More