Fort Defiance is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. It is also located within the Navajo Nation. The population was 3,624 at the 2010 census. The land on which Fort Defiance was eventually established was first noted by the U.S. military when Colonel John Washington stopped there on his return journey from an expedit…Fort Defiance is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. It is also located within the Navajo Nation. The population was 3,624 at the 2010 census. The land on which Fort Defiance was eventually established was first noted by the U.S. military when Colonel John Washington stopped there on his return journey from an expedition to Canyon de Chelly. Fort Defiance was established on September 18, 1851, by Col. Edwin V. Sumner to create a military presence in Diné bikéyah. Sumner broke up the fort at Santa Fe for this purpose, creating the first military post in what is now Arizona. He left Major Electus Backus in charge.
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