Arizona Forts

American Forts: West

ARIZONA

Last Update: 04/APRIL/2009

Camp Canyon de Chelly
(1849), near Chinle
A temporary Federal encampment located two miles northwest from the mouth of the canyon.

Fort Defiance (2)
(Navaho Indian Reservation)
(1851 - 1861, 1863 - 1864), Fort Defiance
The first Federal fort in the state. Located at the mouth of Cañon Bonito on the west-side of Black Creek. Abandoned in 1861 for Fort Fauntleroy, NM, but regarrisoned in 1863 by New Mexico Volunteers under Kit Carson, and renamed Fort Canby. Abandoned and then burned by the Indians in 1864, with only the walls remaining. In 1868 the post was transferred and became the Navajo Indian Agency. Currently in use by the Navajo Nation as the Tribal Headquarters. All that currently remains of the old fort is a three-story stone building.

Camp Mansfield
(1863), near St. Michaels
A temporary camp located seven miles south of Fort Defiance (2), established by CA Volunteers. Also known as Camp at Corner Rock.

Hubbell Trading Post (National Historic Site)
(Navajo Indian Reservation)
(1878 - 1967/present), Ganado
Not really a fort, but historically important in the developement of Arizona. Operated by the NPS since 1967. There are several trading posts in the Navajo Reservation, most are not of any historic importance.

Camp Canby
(1863 - 1864), near Ganado
A base of operations used by Kit Carson and the NM Volunteers against the Navajos, located 23 miles southwest of Fort Defiance (2). Possibly existed in name only.

Camp Florilla
(1864), Kinleechee
One of Kit Carson's camps, located near Cross Canyon.

Camp Supply (1)
(1863), near Holbrook
A temporary supply camp used by Kit Carson, located on the north bank of the Little Colorado River two miles east of town.

Camp Holbrook
(1882), Holbrook
A temporary Federal encampment.

Camp Sunset
(1858 - 1882), near Winslow
Used intermittently by trappers, Mormon settlers, and the military until the railroad came through. Also called Camp Colorado Chiquito (Little Colorado). Located six miles east of town.

Camp Schroeder
(1858), Navajo County
A temporary Federal camp. Exact location unknown.

Ojo de les Lemilas Post
(1860), Navajo Indian Reservation
A temporary post located about 100 miles northwest of Fort Defiance (2).

Lee's Fort
(1871 - unknown), Lee's Ferry
A Mormon stone fort restored by the National Park Service. It was built to protect the ferry that once operated here from 1871 - 1928. The ferry was run by John Doyle Lee, a wanted fugitive at the time, for only two years (1874 - 76) before he was captured by U.S. marshalls and executed.

Winsor Castle
(Pipe Spring National Monument)
(1870 - 1888), Moccasin
A Mormon-built red sandstone fort located on the Kaibab Indian Reservation. Sold by the Mormons in 1888. Acquired by the NPS in 1923 with the creation of the park. Preserved by the National Park Service.

Fort Garrett
(unknown dates), near Pearce Ferry
Not really a fort, it was a crude shanty built north of the Colorado River by a man named Garrett and Bill Shanley when they were living in that area. There are no roads leading to it. You must hike or go on horseback.
(info provided by Ken McClure)

Fort Mohave
(1859 - 1861, 1863 - 1890), near Golden Shores
A Federal fort at Beale's Crossing to protect the ferry to Needles, California, it was abandoned and burned in 1861, the troops transferring to Los Angeles, CA to quell a civil disturbance there. It was initially known as Camp Colorado (1). Renamed Camp Mohave (1863 - 1879) after the post was reactivated by CA Volunteers. Adobe structures were built in 1870. Turned over to the Fort Mohave Indian Reservation in 1890 for use as a school, but closed in 1935. The buildings were destroyed in 1942, but some ruins remain.

(NOTE: "Mohave" is generally spelled with an "h" east of the Colorado River, and spelled with a "j" west of the Colorado River. Both are pronounced the same.)

Camp Colorado (2)
(1868 - 1871), near Parker
A Federal camp, originally called Camp on the Colorado River, located near the mouth of the Bill Williams River.

Camp La Paz
(1874 - 1875), La Paz
A temporary Federal camp and supply depot located at the old Mexican ghost town north of Ehrenberg. Between 1862 and 1870 this was a large colony of gold prospectors. Camp Lincoln (2), a subpost of Fort Yuma, was temporarily established here in 1864 by the CA Volunteers.

Detachment at Ehrenberg
(1875), Ehrenberg
A temporary detachment post from Camp La Paz.

Fort (Charles) Tyson
(1856), Quartzsite
A fortified Butterfield - Overland stage station (aka Tyson's Well Station). A small museum is currently located in the original building. Also here is the gravesite of Hadji Ali (Hi Jolly), a Syrian camel owner who helped the U.S. Army try to use camels instead of horses in the desert during the 1850's.

Camp Alexander
(1867), near McConnico ?
A temporary Federal camp located between Fort Mohave and Camp Beale's Springs.

Camp Beale's Springs
(1871 - 1874), near Kingman
Some ruins remain of this fortified stage station located a few miles northwest of town. Another website at GhostTowns.com

Camp Willow Grove
(1867 - 1869), south of Valentine
A temporary Federal camp. Site is located on the north-side of Willow Creek on private property.

Camp Peach Springs
(1894), Peach Springs
A temporary subpost of Fort Whipple, it lasted one month.

Fort Rock Spring
(1866), Truxton, Seligman
Camp Rock Spring was a temporary camp north of Truxton, probably never actually built. A second site is located on the east-side of Fort Rock Creek east of Seligman. No trace exists.
(additional info provided by Marshall Sitrin)

Camp Pomeroy
(1863), Coconino County
A temporary Federal mule camp. Exact location unknown. Replaced by Camp Clark one month later.

Fort Moroni
(1882 - unknown), near Flagstaff
A Mormon cattle stockade located seven miles northwest of town, built by the Moroni Cattle Company. Also called Fort Valley and Fort Rickerson.

Camp at Bear Spring
(1863 - 1864), near Flagstaff
A temporary encampment, believed to be located at today's Elden Spring, located four miles northeast of town.

Camp on Oak Creek
(1881), near Flagstaff
A temporary subpost of Fort Verde, located just south of town at Oak Creek Canyon.

Camp Tuthill
(Coconino County Park and Recreation Area)
(1928 - 1955), near Flagstaff
An Arizona National Guard summer training area, located south of the city. Site now a county park.

Camp on Lake Carleton
(1866), Mormon Lake
A temporary camp.

Camp Hualpai
(1869 - 1873), near Paulden
First known as Camp Devin, then renamed Camp Toll Gate until 1870. Located on a mesa overlooking Walnut (Mohave) Creek, southeast of Aztec Pass. Sometimes referred to as Fort Hualpai.

Located here or nearby in 1881 was Camp on Walnut Creek.

Camp Rawlins
(1870 - 1871), west of Paulden
A temporary subpost of Whipple Barracks, located 17 miles southeast of Camp Hualpai in Williamson Valley.

Fort Rock
(1864), Yavapai County
A settlers' defense against Indians. Located 60 miles northwest of Prescott.

Camp on Date Creek
(1867 - 1873), Date Creek, Skull Valley
A Federal post originally named Camp McPherson. After only three months the post moved 25 miles north to Skull Valley and was renamed Camp Skull Valley. It moved back to Date Creek after only two months, the old name being restored. By 1868 it moved two more times, but stayed in the Date Creek area. It was given its final name in 1868.

Fort Whipple (V.A. Hospital)
(1864 - 1898, 1902 - 1918), Prescott
First known as Camp Clark in 1863 and located about 20 miles north of town (no trace of which remains, a marker is near Del Rio Ranch north of Chino Valley), then relocated in 1864 to its present site on the Yavapai Indian Reservation, and renamed Camp Whipple. It was a large rectangular pine-log stockade located on Granite Creek. Rebuilt in 1869. Designated a fort in 1870, and the adjacent Whipple Depot (built 1864) then became a separate command. The post became the headquarters of the Military Department of Arizona. The depot burned down in 1872 but was rebuilt. The depot, renamed Prescott Barracks in 1878, was merged with Fort Whipple into one reservation called Whipple Barracks in 1879. Abandoned in 1898, but regarrisoned in 1902. Placed on care-taker status in 1913. A Public Health Service Hospital was established here in 1918, later becoming the present Prescott Veterans Administration Hospital. It is still commonly referred to as the Fort Whipple Hospital. The Fort Whipple Museum is located in a former Officers' quarters (Building #11) on the V.A. Hospital campus, jointly operated by the Sharlot Hall Museum and the V.A. Hospital.

Of interest in town at 415 West Gurley Street is the Sharlot Hall Museum with info on military history. Admission fee.

Fort Misery (1)
(Sharlot Hall Museum)
(1863 - 1920's), Prescott
A reproduction two-story log house, originally built on Granite Creek by Santa Fe trader Manuel Yrissari, that was also used as the first court and jail for the Arizona Territory in 1864. It was once attacked by Indians, and the prisoners in the jail were released to fight and were given their freedom after the battle. Later it became a boardinghouse and the locals gave it the nickname of "Fort Misery". It was still used as such until the 1920's. The Sharlot Hall Museum staff disassembled the cabin in 1934 and moved it two blocks north to the museum grounds. It was reconstructed again in 1997. This is reportedly the oldest log cabin in the state.

Camp Brodie
(1910's), near Prescott
Built by the U.S. Army for border patrols.

Camp Granite Reef Dam
(1910's), near Prescott
Built by the U.S. Army near Whipple Barracks during the Mexican border crisis.

Camp Curtis
(unknown dates), near Mayer
Located on Big Bug Creek four miles from town.

Fort Misery (2)
(unknown date), near Crown King
A mining camp and cabin built by Al Francis. Ruins remain.

Post at Wickenburg
(1866), Wickenburg
A temporary Federal garrison post.

Fort Verde (State Historic Park)
(1864 - 1891), Camp Verde
Originally known as Camp Lincoln (1), or Camp on the Verde River, an outpost of Fort Whipple, then located five miles south at the Verde River and West Clear Creek. Built by the NM Volunteers, and garrisoned by Army Regulars in 1866. The camp moved four miles north in 1866. Renamed Camp Verde (2) in 1868. Moved one mile further north to its present site near Beaver Creek in 1871, known as New Camp Verde. It was renamed again in 1879. The government auctioned off the fort in 1891 and only four buildings (Officers' quarters) now survive. A museum is in one of these buildings.
(thanks to Jerry Blanz for providing correct location info)

Camp Ilges
(1867), near Camp Verde
A temporary overflow campsite on the Verde River near Camp Lincoln (1).

Camp Lewis (1)
(1865 - 1870), west of Strawberry
A temporary Federal camp located on Fossil Creek near the Verde River.

Fort (William) McDonald
(1878 - 1882), near Payson
A settlers' sandstone fort on a butte east of town, built during Indian troubles.

Camp Reno
(1867 - 1870), near Punkin Center
A subpost of Fort McDowell. Some ruins remain at the site west of town near Reno Mountain. The "Battle of Big Dry Wash" was near here in 1868.

Camp O'Connell
(1868), near Sunflower
A temporary Federal post on the road between Fort McDowell and Camp Reno.
(NOTE: Conflicting info: cited in Tonto Valley, Gila County - or on the east-side of Sycamore Creek, Sunflower Valley, Maricopa County)
(thanks to Marshall Sitrin for additional info)

Camp Carroll
(1867 - 1868), near Sunflower ?
A temporary Federal winter post on the road between Fort McDowell and Camp Reno.

Camp Miller
(1867), Maricopa County
A temporary Federal post on Sycamore Creek, on the road between Fort McDowell and Camp Reno. Abandoned for Camp Carroll after about four months of use.

Camp Tonto
(1864), Gila County
A temporary NM Volunteers camp, probably somewhere on Tonto Creek.

Camp Roosevelt Dam
(1910's), Roosevelt
Built by the U.S. Army during the Mexican border crisis.

Fort Badger
(1866), near Fort McDowell
Located at the confluence of the Salt (Salado) River and Verde River next to the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation.

Fort McDowell
(Fort McDowell Indian Reservation)
(1865 - 1891), Fort McDowell
Originally named Camp Verde (1) but quickly renamed Camp McDowell. Designated a fort in 1879. Became the Yavapai Indian Agency in 1891. Some ruins, one adobe wall still stands.

Fort Utah
(1877), Mesa
A Mormon settlers' adobe fort.

Camp Pinal
(1870 - 1871), near Miami, near Superior
Originally simply known as Infantry Camp. Abandoned in 1871 one month after being renamed. Original site is the Pinal Ranch near the headwaters of Mineral and Pinto Creeks, six miles west of Miami. The post was rebuilt as Camp Picket Post at Queen Creek near Picket Post Butte near Superior, but was abandoned after only nine days. The mining town Pinal was established in 1877.

Camp Globe
(1910's), Globe
Built by the U.S. Army for border patrols. Continued to be used during World War I.

Camp Miami
(1910's), Gila County
Built by the U.S. Army for border patrols.

Camp San Carlos
(San Carlos Apache Nation)
(1872 - 1875, 1882 - 1900), San Carlos
A Federal cavalry camp. Later re-established as Post at San Carlos in 1882, a subpost of Fort Grant. Reverted again to Camp San Carlos in 1894. Later became the San Carlos Apache Indian Agency after it was abandoned by the Army. All remaining buildings were destroyed in 1930. Some ruins remain.

Camp Hentig
(1881, 1882), near San Carlos
Never established as an official military post. This was an overnight campsite, originally called Camp Ash Creek, often used on trips between San Carlos and Fort Apache. Located on Ash Creek Flat east of town.

Camp at Turkey Creek
(1882), near Fort Apache
A temporary outpost of Fort Whipple located 17 miles southwest of Fort Apache.

Fort Apache (Historic Park)
(White Mountain Apache Culture Center and Museum)
(1870 - 1922), Fort Apache
Built at the end of a military road, the post guarded the nearby White Mountain Apache Indian Agency. Replaced Camp Goodwin. Previous names included Camp Ord, Camp Mogollon, and Camp Thomas (1) all during 1870. From 1871 to 1879 it was called Camp Apache. Became an Indian School after the Army left, still in use today. Several original buildings remain, including one that now houses a U.S. Post Office. Fort Apache Cultural Center is in a replica cabin. Nearby is a recreated 1880's Apache Indian village. Admission fee. Another website from White Mountains Online

Camp near Cariso
(1858), Carrizo
A temporary Federal encampment.

Fort Milligan
(1860's), Eagar
A settlers' stockade against Indians located one mile east of town in Round Valley.

NEED MORE INFO: Fort Tule near Castle Hot Springs; East Fort and South Fort near Crown King; Camp Grierson (1889) unknown location.

Southern Arizona - page 2

Special thanks to Ted Cook for providing info on the 1850 - 1900 period forts and camps.

QUESTIONS ? Please send any corrections and/or additions to this list to:
Updates @ NorthAmericanForts.com