As an Army depot, Fort Wingate can trace its history back through three locations, more than 150 years, and multiple name changes. However, the lands encompassing FWDA were significant to Native American peoples for a very long period of time prior to their first contact with European people. As a result, the lands at the present day Fort Wingate Depot Activity (FWDA) contain numerous sites also rich in cultural heritage and historical significance to Native Americans.
Both the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni, whose current territories are situated in close proximity to FWDA, inhabited the area prior to 1860, when Fort Wingate was established. In addition, both the Pueblo of Zuni and the Navajo Nation have an extensive relationship and history with the Army in the region and with Fort Wingate in particular.
The lands comprising Fort Wingate are "public domain lands" acquired by the Federal government through the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico in 1848. The lands fall within the traditional territory of both the Zuni and Navajo people. The first military post near the current FWDA was Fort Fauntleroy, established in 1860. This fort was renamed Fort Lyon in 1861, after General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in the Civil War. Fort Lyon was abandoned in 1862.
The first Fort Wingate (named after Major Benjamin Wingate, a Union infantry officer who died from injuries sustained in the Battle of Valverde, New Mexico) was established in 1862 at San Rafael, just south of the current location of Milan, New Mexico, where it remained until 1868. That year the Army returned to the site of Fort Lyon and established a “new” Fort Wingate.