Established in 1855 as a fort and cavalry post to control Geronimo’s Mescalero Apaches, Fort Stanton was named for Captain Henry W. Stanton of the First United States Dragoons, who was killed in action with the Indians. By presidential proclamation, the fort was transferred to the United States Public Health Service for use as a Marine Hospital in 1899. The Fort Stanton Sanatorium became the first government hospital exclusively for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. After the United States Public Health Service closed it in June 1953, the hospital was formally accepted by the state of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Public Welfare on July 1, 1953. Fort Stanton Medical Center was dedicated to treating needy residents of the state afflicted with tuberculosis.