Fort Bowie National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Exploring Fort Bowie 

Junior Ranger Activity Book 
Welcome to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. I’m excited 

that you’re here and that you want to become a Junior 

Ranger like me! Please follow the instructions on the next 

page to complete this book and receive your badge. 

Have fun exploring Fort Bowie!

Exciting to discover,

Interesting to hold,

But taken from its historic spot

Its story can’t be told. 

-AnonymousPlease help the National Park Service 

protect Fort Bowie. Please don’t climb 

on the ruins or disturb any artifacts on 

the property. 
Instructions

This book is designed for Junior Rangers of all ages. Please complete all of 

the activities assigned to your age group to earn your badge and certificate. 

When you have completed the book, return it to a ranger or a volunteer to 

get sworn in as an official Fort Bowie Junior Ranger.

Junior Rangers and Parents: Look at the bottom of each page to find 

the “Did You Know” section and learn interesting and fun facts about 

Fort Bowie National Historic Site.

Instructions: Find your age below and complete all of the activities with 

the color star(s) next to your age group. Hint: 11 and older will complete 

the entire book.

Ages 4 and below

Ages 5-7

Ages 8-10

Ages 11 and older
 Heading West

Did You Know: Horses have become an iconic symbol of the American West but they are not native 

to this country. Horses were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 1500’s. The 

introduction of horses drastically changed how people lived on this continent.

Traveling into the western frontier in the 1800’s was a long, hard 

journey. People had to bring many different supplies to survive 

the trip. What do you think people took on their journey? Circle 

each of the items you think people brought with them.
 I Spy...

Did You Know: Fort Bowie NHS sits on 1,000 acres and within those boundaries, there are nearly 

500 different plants, trees, and cacti!

While visiting Fort Bowie NHS, you will see many different 

plants, animals, insects, and manmade structures. Take a 

look around the park. What do you see? Draw something 

that you find really interesting.
 On the Trail

Did You Know: In 1986, the Ringtail became the state mammal of Arizona. They are nocturnal, so 

you are unlikely to see them during your visit to the park. But you can often find their scat on the trail 

and sometimes, their tracks as well.

Ringtail

Cardinal

Mule Deer

Fort Bowie NHS is home to many different animals. Often, you 

will see clues that these animals live in the park. Sometimes you 

will find its tracks and sometimes you will find its scat (poop!). 

Can you match each track to the right animal? 
Bell Bird Burro Shoe Bullet

Black Bear Bayonet Bugle Beads

Basket Button Bonnet Buckskin Pouch

Bottle Butcher Knife Bobcat Buckle

Did You Know: The name Bowie is pronounced “Boo-eee” (not “Bow-eee” like the singer). The fort 

was named for Colonel George Washington Bowie. Colonel Bowie shared a name with the famous 

American General who served as the first president of the United States.

Bowie Bingo

B is for Bowie! Lets explore Fort Bowie and the letter B. Walk in 

and around the visitor center and look for the different objects, 

plants, and animals that start with the letter B. When you find the 

item, draw a picture of it. Try to get 4 in row for Bingo or challenge 

yourself to fill in all of the boxes.
Use the Morse Code alphabet 

to discover the message below. 

••-•/---/•-•/- -•••/---/•--/••/•

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 

___ 

Now translate the following 

message into Morse Code.

A P A C H E P A S S

___ /___ /___ /___ /___ /___ 

___ /___ /___ /___

Mirror Messages

What do you have to say? Create a Morse Code message in the space below.

Did You Know: Fort Bowie had a heliograph located on Bowie Peak, just south of the fort. 

This heliograph could communicate with Fort Huachuca, 90 miles away!

In the 1800’s information was usually communicated by letter or 

telegraph. But forts, like Fort Bowie, could also send messages by 

heliograph. A heliograph is a tool that creates flashes of light by 

reflecting sunlight. Using a Morse Code alphabet, soldiers at Fort 

Bowie could send messages to other nearby forts. A long flash of 

light represented a dash (-) in the Morse Code alphabet while a 

short flash of light represented a dot (•). Can you help me figure 

out the messages below?
 Digging in the Past

You find the following artifacts:

 The barrel of a rifle

 Bullets

 A round cannon shell

 A Button with U.S on it

You find the following artifacts:

 A stone axe

 Beads

 A stone arrowhead

 A piece of pottery

What do you think happened?

A. Someone lost a rifle and bullets

B. Soldiers fought here

C. This area was a gun range

What do you think happened?

A. Soldiers camped here

B. Emigrants traded with Apaches 

C. Pre-historic Native Americans 

What do you think happened?

A. Men, women, and children lived, 

w worked, and played here

B. This was once the site of a store

C. Someone lost their luggage 

Did You Know: Captain Roberts claimed that packrats carried away his false teeth while he was 

stationed at Fort Bowie. His teeth were found over100 years later in the fort ruins. The teeth are 

archeological evidence that supports an historical story.

You find the following artifacts:

 Marbles

 A mule shoe

 False teeth

 A medicine bottle

The word archaeology describes the science of how we learn about 

the past. Archaeologists study the things people have left behind to 

learn about human history and activity. Archaeology is a bit like 

solving a mystery.

Test your skills as an archaeologist. Look at the artifacts below to see 

what you can learn about the fort. Circle the answer you think best 

tells the story about what happened in each place.
 Living Off the Land

Natural Objects Uses

Mano & Metate

Wikiup

Burden Basket

Cradleboard

A dome-shaped shelter made from 

willow branches and beargrass. 

A cone shaped basket used for 

gathering foods such as seeds, 

nuts, and corn. 

A pack used for carrying babies.

Stones used for grinding seeds, 

nuts, and mesquite beans.

Did You Know: The word Apache is a Zuni term meaning “enemy”. The Apache originally called 

themselves Nde or Ndee, meaning “the people.”

Historically, the Native American inhabitants of the Apache Pass area 

were hunters and gatherers. The Chiricahua Apache who lived in the 

Chiricahua Mountains had to rely on what nature provided for them in 

order to survive. 

Using information from signs along the trail, and displays located in 

the visitor center, name at least three natural materials the Chiricahua 

Apache used in their daily lives. What were these natural materials 

used for? Then, at the bottom, match each of the Native American 

terms to their correct use or function.
Fort Report

The following information relates to the conditions of Fort Bowie upon my departure 

November,1888.

Since the surrender of __________________ in 1886, hostilities have ceased in this area. 

As a result, there has been more time for improvements at Fort Bowie. Construction 

continues on the Post _____________. This is a much needed improvement since the old 

facility was unsafe and unfit for housing the sick. This is a much better use of money than 

has been previously exercised. I still protest the $____________ amount that was spent on 

an extravagant Commanding Officer’s residence. Cavalrymen continue their patrols of the 

area and are responsible for caring for their __________, though these patrols are not as 

necessary since the Chiricahua Apaches have been removed from the area. Quarters are 

provided for Cavalry units and Infantry units, though conditions in the infantry barracks 

are decidedly crowded. ________________ and ___________________ bunk in a main 

room together, while the _______________ occupy small adjoining rooms. Officers 

occupy homes on the south side of the parade ground. Though housing is limited and often 

families are forced to _______________ when a higher ranking officer arrives. Much to 

the dismay of the officer’s wife. The ______________ _______________ store carries a 

selection of canned goods, as well as other types of domestic supplies. And in accordance 

with new Army policies, a post school is located at the fort. However, at this time, there 

are no students to attend classes. But the building is also used for 

___________________________ and ___________________________ .

 -Major Eugene Beaumont

Did You Know: When Major Beaumont arrived at Fort Bowie, construction of a new Commanding 

Officers Quarters was underway. After seeing the plans for the Victorian home, he complained that 

it was “useless ornamentation and an absurd plan.”

Western forts were often located in isolated locations and 

Commanding Officers relied on letters and reports to communicate 

with their superiors and officials in Washington DC. Major Eugene 

Beaumont was the Commanding Officer at Fort Bowie 1884-1888. 

Can you help him compile a final report before he assumes a new 

command? Explore the fort ruins to help you complete the report. 
CERTIFICATE 

Congratulations!

Junior Ranger Pledge:

As a Junior Ranger, I pledge to 

explore our National Parks, protect 

these important places, and help 

preserve our parks for future 

generations.

This certifies that

_________________________________________________________

has achieved the rank of a Junior Ranger at Fort Bowie National Historic Site.

 _______________________________________

 Ranger/Date