California Forts

American Forts: West

CALIFORNIA

Last Update: 10/FEBRUARY/2007

Compiled by Phil and Pete Payette - Š2007 American Forts Network

Fort Bidwell
(1863 - 1893), Fort Bidwell
A base camp for operations against the Bannock, Paiute, Snake, and Modoc tribes, and was known as Camp Bidwell (2) until 1879, although referred to as a fort since 1865 after it was briefly abandoned. The Bureau of Indian Affairs took over the fort, and it is currently used as the tribal headquarters for the Fort Bidwell Indian Reservation. The barracks were torn down in the 1930's after the Indian school was discontinued in 1930. The Officers' quarters still stand near the post cemetery.

Camp at Goose Lake
(1866), near Fort Bidwell
A temporary encampment of the Sacramento Rangers. Goose Lake was originally called Pitt's Lake.

Captain Jack's Stronghold
(Lava Beds National Monument)
(1872 - 1873), near Newell
Captain Jack, the Modoc Indian leader, and his followers took refuge here (in Modoc County) and held the Army at bay. The Army base camp, Camp in the Lava Beds or Gen. Gillem's Camp was also located here, but across the county line in Siskiyou County. History of the Modoc War.
Also located near here were New Camp Supply (aka Major Boyle's Camp and Peninsula Camp), and Old Supply Camp (aka Scorpion Point Camp).

Fort Crook
(1857 - 1869), near Fall River Mills
Located on the north bank of the Fall River one and one-half miles south of Glenburn. Originally known as Camp Hollenbush. Became a subpost of Fort Bidwell in 1866.

Sam Lockhart's Fort
(1856), Fall River Mills
A settlers' fort. Withstood a five-day seige by Indians.

Camp Taylor
(1859), Fall River Mills
A temporary Army encampment located eight miles southeast of Fort Crook.

Camp Hot Creek Station
(1862), Old Station ?
Located 35 miles southwest of Fort Crook. A stage station briefly occupied by the Army.

Camp Pollock
(1864), Lassen County
A temporary camp for the NV Volunteers, somewhere east of Red Rock. Site originally believed to be in Nevada during the border dispute.

Fort Defiance (3)
(1853 - 1863), Susanville
A log trading post, also called Isaac Roop's Fort, built in 1853 and modified into a fortified blockhouse in 1854. It was defended by 100 men in 1854 in the so-called "Sagebrush War", fought to determine the California - Nevada boundary. The town was placed within the California boundary as a result. The post is the oldest building in town, located on Weatherlow Street.

Camp Johns
(1864), Susanville
A temporary post for cavalry troops from Nevada, located adjacent to Roop's Fort.

Camp Susan
(1864), Susanville
A temporary post for Nevada infantry troops from Fort Churchill.

Fort Janesville
(1860), Janesville
A civilian loop-holed log stockade with one blockhouse, built after the Battle of Pyramid Lake. Now a state historical landmark.

Fort Shasta
(unknown dates), Shasta or Shasta Lake
Probably a civilian post.

Fort Reading
(1852 - 1856, 1866 - 1867), Redding
An Army adobe post on the west-side of Cow Creek, two and one-half miles from the Sacramento River.

Camp Cass
(1859), Red Bluff
A temporary Army encampment at an already established American Fur Company post. The fur post may have possibly been known as Fort Cass (?).

Camp at Red Bluff
(1862), Red Bluff
A temporary post of the CA Cavalry.

Camp Waite
(1865 - 1866), near Red Bluff
A temporary winter encampment located on Antelope Creek southeast of town.

Post at Nome Lackee
(1855 - 1858), near Flournoy
A Federal post at the Nome Lackee Indian Agency. Renamed Fort Vose at some point. An adobe 100-foot square compound with 10-foot high walls. The remains were still in evidence in 1948. The agency was replaced by the Round Valley Agency in 1861.

Camp Bidwell (1)
(1863 - 1865), Chico
An Army post. Originally called Camp Chico.

Camp near Butte Creek
(1856), near Chico
No definate location for this temporary Army camp.

Colusa Post
(1864 - 1865), Colusa
A temporary post for the CA Volunteer Cavalry.

Camp at Pierson's Ranch
(1865), near Colusa
A temporary encampment.

Fort Far West
(1849 - 1852), near Marysville
Built to protect the newly established gold mines, but the troops kept deserting. Known as Cantonment or Camp Far West until 1851. Located on Bear Creek.

Camp in Onion Valley
(1860), near Downieville
A temporary camp.

Fort Weller
(1859), near Hopland
A Federal post on the east bank of the Russian River, within the Mendocino Indian Reservation. The post was originally planned to be built on the Nome Cult Indian Reservation, but transportation problems forced the site here.

Camp Howard
(1888), Ukiah
A temporary Army encampment lasting two weeks.

Fort Bragg
(1857 - 1864), Fort Bragg
Built to control the Mendocino Indian Reservation. Although named after a Southern officer, the name was retained during the Civil War. The reservation closed in 1866 and was opened for white settlement a few years later. Another website from CA Military Museum | Another website

Camp Wright (3)
(1858 - 1861, 1862 - 1875), Covelo
A Federal post at the Round Valley (Nome Cult) Indian Reservation. Originally known as Camp at Nome Cult Indian Agency. Abandoned then re-established in 1862, renamed Fort Wright until 1866. Adobe barracks were built in 1869. Located one mile northwest from town.

Camp Mackall
(1857 - 1858), Round Valley
A temporary Dragoon post on Cash Creek.

Round Valley Post
(1892), Round Valley
A temporary Federal post.

Fort Seward
(1861 - 1863 ?), Fort Seward
An Army post also known as Camp on Eel River. Originally intended to replace Fort Humboldt, the garrison was withdrawn to that post in 1862. (NOTE: Conflicting reports of the date of final abandonment: 1862, 1863, or 1866).

Camp Grant
(1863 - 1865), near Weott
A CA Mountaineer post on the Eel River, three miles east of Dyerville.

Camp Olney
(1862), near Honeydew ?
A temporary CA Volunteer post located 40 miles south of Fort Humbolt on the Mattole River.

Camp Mattole
(1864), near Honeydew
A temporary CA Mountaineer post located 24 miles west of Weott.

Camp Armstrong
(1861), Hydesville
Located near Carlotta. A temporary post on the Van Dusen River near Yeagher Creek.

Yager Creek Crossing Camp
(1862), Hydesville
A temporary post.

Camp Swasey
(1862), Hydesville
A temporary post for the CA Volunteers.

Fort Baker (1)
(1862 - 1863), near Bridgeville
A temporary CA Volunteer camp for Indian prisoners, located northeast of town on the west (north) bank of the Van Dusen River. Replaced by Camp Iaqua. Apparently burned down by either Indians or Confederate sympathizers in 1864.

Hay Fork Camp
(1864), Hay Fork
A short-lived post established to protect local miners.

Camp Soldier's Grove
(1864), near Hyampom
A temporary post located 18 miles from town.

Fort Iaqua
(1863 - 1866), near Kneeland
A post on Iaqua (Yeagher) Creek, about 18 miles east of the mouth of the Eel River, on the military road between Fort Humboldt and Fort Gaston. Also known as Camp Iaqua (Jaqua).

Camp Lyon (2)
(1862), near Kneeland
A temporary CA Volunteer post located at Brehmer's Ranch on the Mad River, about 20 miles southeast of Arcata. Sometimes referred to as Fort Lyon.

Reed's Ranch Post
(1862), near Eureka
Located somewhere southeast of Fort Humboldt.

Fort Humboldt (State Historic Park)
(1853 - 1867), Eureka
A Federal post located in Bucksport, it was built to protect area settlers and to serve as a supply depot for other posts. Became a subdepot of Fort Gaston in 1866, then abandoned. Only the hospital and surgeon's quarters remain, which have been restored. Another website

Camp Lippitt
(1862), Eureka
Lasting for only two months, it consisted entirely of rented buildings in Bucksport to help alleviate the inadequacies at Fort Humboldt. Garrisoned by the CA Volunteer Infantry.

Camp Boynton Prairie
(1864), near Eureka
A temporary post established by CA Infantry and Mounted Cavalry, located east of town.

Lighthouse Point Post
(1864 - 1865), near Samoa
A temporary Indian detainment camp.

Camp Worth
(1865), Samoa
A temporary Indian detainment camp, five miles from Lighthouse Point.

Camp Curtis
(1862 - 1865), Arcata
The headquarters of the CA Mountaineers, located one mile north of town. Originally called Camp on Janes' Farm.

Daby's Ferry Post
(1862), near Arcata
A temporary CA Mountaineer encampment located on the Mad River three miles from town.

Fort Liscom
(1862 - 1865 ?), Blue Lake
Also called Camp at Liscombe's Hill. A log cabin occupied by a small group of CA Volunteers. Located at the Bates Ranch, which became Scottsville after the Civil War, later merging with Blue Lake.

Trinidad Camp
(1863), Trinidad
A temporary garrison post replaced by Camp Gilmore (2).

Camp Gilmore (2)
(1863 - 1864), near Trinidad
Built to protect the mail route. Located four miles north of town.

Camp Redwood
(1862), near Trinidad
Located on the Coastal Trail midway between Trinidad and Elk Camp.

Fort Anderson
(1862, 1864 - 1866), near Blue Lake
A temporary CA Volunteer post located on Redwood Creek, about midway between Willow Creek and Blue Lake. Re-established as Camp Anderson (2) in 1864.

Camp at Pardee's Ranch
(1858 - 1865 ?, intermittent), near Blue Lake
A CA Volunteer post located on the Trinity Trail between Eureka and the Trinity River, somewhere near Camp Anderson.

Camp Burnt Ranch
(1864), Burnt Ranch
A temporary post located 30 miles south of Hoopa on the Trinity River.

Fort Gaston (1)
(1858 - 1892), near Hoopa
A Federal post located in the Hoopa Valley on the west bank of the Trinity River. Known as Camp Gaston (2) from 1867 - 1879. The Officers' Quarters around the parade ground are now used by the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation.

Newkirk's Mill Post
(1864), near Hoopa
A short-lived CA Volunteer post located somewhere near Fort Gaston.

Elk Camp Post
(1862), near Weitchpec
A temporary post located west of town at a settlement called Elk Camp, about 15 miles northeast of Fort Anderson.

Fort Wool
(1855), Weitchpec
A temporary Federal post originally called Camp Strowbridge.

Camp at Martin's Ferry
(1864), near Weitchpec
A temporary post used for only two weeks, located 13 miles northwest of town on the Klamath River.

Camp Cap-Ell
(1856), near Weitchpec
A temporary Federal infantry summer encampment located on the west-side of the Klamath River at Cappell Bay, 15 miles above Fort Ter-Waw and 10 miles below the Trinity River, north of Martin's Ferry Bridge.

Camp Mettah
(1872), near Weitchpec
A temporary summer encampment located at a Mettah Indian village on the Klamath River below Mettah Creek, north of Camp Cap-Ell.

Orleans Bar Post
(1864), Orleans
A temporary post for CA Mountaineers to protect miners. The town was originally named Orleans Bar.

Camp at Fork of Salmon River
(1864), Forks of Salmon
A short-lived post.

Fort Denny
(1851), near Fort Jones
A trading post built by Albert Denny, located somewhere in upper Scott Valley.

Fort Jones (2)
(1852 - 1858, 1864), Fort Jones
A Dragoon post built to protect miners against Indian attacks. Briefly reoccupied by the CA Mountaineers in 1864. The town was originally named Wheelock.

Fort Hooper
(1852), Siskiyou County
A trading post on McAdams Creek, built by the father of Frank Hooper.

Fort Goff
(1881 - 1935), near Happy Camp
A hydraulic placer gold mine. No military use.
(thanks to Marshall Sitrin for info)

Gold Bluffs Post
(1863 - 1864), near Orick
Built to protect mining operations at the Gold Bluffs, located north of town.

Fort Ter-Waw
(1857 - 1862), Klamath
An Army post at the Klamath Indian Reservation, on the north bank across the river from the Indian Agency. Due to constant flooding, it was replaced by Camp Lincoln.

Camp at Crescent City
(1856 - 1858), Crescent City
A Federal post during the Red Cap War, a subpost of Fort Humboldt.

Camp Lincoln
(1862 - 1869), near Crescent City
Originally located in town at the former Indian Agency. Moved three months later to a new site six miles northeast of town on the Smith River. A marker for the later site is located on Smith's River Valley Road. The Post Commander's house has been rebuilt. Another website. Other names for this post include Lincoln's Fort, Fort Lincoln, Fort Long and Long's Camp. Located nearby is Battery Point Lighthouse (1856).

Fort Dick
(1860's), Fort Dick
A civilian fort during the Civil War. May never have actually existed.
(thanks to Marshall Sitrin for info)

NEED MORE INFO: Federal Camp Whistler (1858) (unknown location), Camp Banks (date ?) near Detroit (?), Camp Cook (unknown date and location), Camp on Canoe Creek (1855) (unknown location).
Towns:

Special thanks to Dan Sebby, for information from the California Military Museum website.

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