Arizona Forts

American Forts: West

ARIZONA

Last Update: 07/SEPTEMBER/2021

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

Capt. Richard Ewell's Camp
(1858), near Sawmill
A temporary Federal encampment located 12 miles northwest of Fort Defiance (2), near Washington Pass.

Fort Defiance (2)
(Navaho Indian Reservation)
(1851 - 1861, 1863 - 1864), Fort Defiance
The first Federal fort in the state. A temporary camp was first established here in September 1851, a permanent post was begun in the spring of 1852. Located at the mouth of Cañon Bonito on the west side of Black Creek. Attacked by 1000 Navajo Indians in April 1860. Abandoned in April 1861 for Fort Fauntleroy, NM, but regarrisoned in July 1863 by New Mexico Volunteers under Col. Kit Carson, and renamed Fort Canby. Abandoned in October 1864 and then burned by the Indians, with only the walls remaining. In 1868 the abandoned post became the Navajo Indian Agency. The site is currently in use by the Navajo Nation as the Tribal Headquarters. All that currently remains of the old post is a three-story stone building from the Indian Agency period.

Camp Mansfield
(1863, 1868 ?), 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 (1868 ?).

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 on the Navajo Reservation, most are not of any historic importance.
* Listed for historical interest only *

Camp Canby
(1863 - 1864), near Ganado ?
A base of operations (July 1863 - October 1864) used by Col. Kit Carson and the NM Volunteers (1st Infantry) against the Navajo, supposedly located 28 miles southwest of Fort Defiance (2). Possibly existed as such only on maps of the period, as the then abandoned Fort Defiance (2) was known as "Fort Canby" by these same troops. Possibly also created as a ruse to confuse Confederate spies.

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

Camp at Jacob's Well
(1863), south of Sanders
A NM Volunteers post ?

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 (July 1882) (1st Infantry, Company K, and 3rd Cavalry, Troop H).

Joseph City Fort
(1860's ? or 1870's ?), Joseph City
A Mormon settlers' fort. There was a site monument "Old Fort" listed in the records of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Camp Sunset
(1858 - 1882, intermittent), near Winslow
Originally established by the Army's Camel Corps in 1858. Later used intermittently by trappers, Mormon settlers, and the military until the railroad came through the area in 1882. Located six miles east of town along the Little Colorado River. A post office was established here in 1876.

Camp Colorado Chiquito
(1863), near Winslow ?
An Army camp on the Little Colorado River at Canyon Diablo.

Camp Schroeder
(1858), Navajo Indian Reservation
A temporary Federal camp (8th Infantry, Company V). Exact location unknown, possibly sited in New Mexico (?).

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

Lee's Fort
(Glen Canyon National Recreational Area)
(1871 - 1880's ?), 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. The fort was converted to a trading post soon after.

Winsor Castle
(Pipe Spring National Monument)
(1870 - 1888), Moccasin
A Mormon-built red sandstone-walled fort with two double-story sandstone buildings. This isolated outpost served as a way station for people traveling across the Arizona Strip, that part of Arizona separated from the rest of the state by the Grand Canyon. It also served as a refuge for polygamist wives during the 1880s and 1890s. The LDS Church lost ownership of the property through penalties involved in the federal Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887, and was sold off in 1888. Acquired by the NPS in 1923 with the creation of the park, which is completely surrounded by the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation (created in 1907). Preserved and maintained by the National Park Service.

Fort Garrett
(unknown dates), near Pearce Ferry
Not really a fort, it was a crude 12x14-foot rock shanty built on the north side 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. Located within the 1976 addition to the Grand Canyon National Park.

Fort Mohave
(1859 - 1861, 1863 - 1890), Fort Mohave
A Federal fort on the Colorado River at Beale's Crossing to protect the ferry to Needles, California. It was abandoned and burned in May 1861, the troops transferring to Los Angeles, CA to quell a civil disturbance there. It was initially known as Camp Colorado (1) (April 1859). Renamed Camp Mohave (May 1863 - April 1879) after the post was reactivated by CA Volunteers. This post was most likely the "Fort Navajo" that Gen. James Carleton described in 1862 dispatches, to mislead Confederate spies in California. Adobe structures were built in 1870. Abandoned in May 1890, turned over to the Fort Mohave Indian Reservation in September 1890 for use as an Indian school, but closed in 1935. The buildings were torn down in 1942, but some ruins remain.

(NOTE: "Mohave" is generally spelled today with an "h" east of the Colorado River, and spelled with a "j" west of the Colorado River. Both are pronounced the same. However, it was almost always spelled with a "j" in U.S. War Department records.)

Fort Silver
(1863), near Oatman
A rock cabin used by Army troops (CA Volunteers) from Fort Mohave while prospecting for silver, located in the hills along Silver Creek about five miles north of town. The door frame lintel was engraved with "US ARMY". The stone ruins were last reported still extant in 1979.

Camp Colorado (2)
(1868 - 1871), Parker
A Federal tent camp, originally called Camp on the Colorado River, located on the Colorado River just west of town. Established in November 1868 by the 14th Infantry, Company H. Replaced by the 12th Infantry, Company G, until April 1871.

Camp La Paz
(1874 - 1875), La Paz
A temporary CA state militia camp and supply depot (4th Infantry, Companies F and G) (April 1874 - May or September 1875) located at an old mining town, about ten miles north of Ehrenberg, consisting of adobe structures which had recently been abandoned at the time. Between 1862 and 1870 this was the site of a large colony of gold prospectors before it was abandoned. Portions of the ghost town were excavated by the National Park Service and the Chemehuevi Indian Nation in 1971.

Camp Lincoln (1), a subpost of Fort Yuma, was temporarily established here in May-August 1864 by the CA Volunteers (4th Infantry, Company F).

Detachment at Ehrenberg
(1875 - 1877), Ehrenberg
A temporary military detachment post to oversee supply shipments coming in from California, as the Colorado River had shifted course at La Paz, necessitating a new depot site. A Quartermaster storehouse was washed away in a flood in the early 1900's.

Fort Tyson
(1856), Quartzsite
A fortified Butterfield - Overland stage station (aka Tyson's Well Station), which was operated by Charles Tyson. A small museum is currently located in the original building. Also here is the gravesite of Hadji Ali (aka "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 off of US 93 (site marked). The Army (12th Infantry, Company F) also built 12 adobe buildings with shingle roofs and a three-tent hospital (March 1871 - April 1874). Another website at GhostTowns.com

Camp Peach Springs
(1894), Peach Springs
A temporary subpost of Fort Whipple (11th Infantry, Company B), it lasted about one month (July-August 1894).

Camp Willow Grove
(1867 - 1869), southeast of Valentine
A temporary Federal (14th Infantry, Company E) tent camp (August 1867). In 1868 the 8th Cavalry, Companies E, F, and K also occupied the site, until withdrawn in October 1869. Site is located on the north side of Willow Creek on private property, about 40 miles east of Kingman. Site excavated in 1966 by the Museum of Northern Arizona. Some ruins (stone fireplace pits) still remain.

Fort Rock Spring
(1866 ?), southwest of Seligman
Camp Rock Spring was a temporary camp and stage stop, located about two miles south of the Camp Willow Grove site. Shown on some maps, but probably never actually garrisoned by any Army troops.

Fort Rock
(1864), Fort Rock, southwest of Seligman
A settlers' defense against Indians. Located about 60 miles northwest of Prescott along the present Mohave - Yavapai county line. Most likely the same site as above.

Fort Moroni
(1881 - 1887 ?), Fort Valley
A civilian log stockade located seven miles northwest of Flagstaff in what came to be known as "Fort Valley". It was built under the direction of John Willard Young while heading a group of Mormons cutting railroad ties in the area. It became headquarters for his Moroni Cattle Company (1881 - 1883). After being sold to the Arizona Cattle and Wood Company, it was renamed Fort Rickerson and the walls were cut to fence height by 1887. No physical evidence of the fort is present today.
(thanks to John Vankat for additional info)

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

Camp Tuthill
(Coconino County Park and Recreation Area)
(1928 - 1955), near Flagstaff
An Arizona National Guard training area on 426 acres with two dozen buildings, located south of the city along AZ 89A. Known as Fort Tuthill from 1929-1948. Site now a county park and fairgrounds, adjacent to Pulliam Municipal Airport. The original Mess Halls are now used as exhibit buildings, and the old Infirmary is now the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department office.

Camp on Lake Carleton
(1866 ?), Mormon Lake
A temporary Army camp noted on some maps, probably never actually built.

Camp on Oak Creek
(1881), near Sedona
A temporary subpost of Fort Verde (June-July 1881), located in Oak Creek Canyon. Occupied by the 12th Infantry, Company K, and the 6th Cavalry, Companies H and L.

Camp Pomeroy
(1863), southern Coconino County
A temporary camp (November-December) for the Army (CA Volunteers) wagon trains during the establishment of the first Fort Whipple on Cienega Creek. Exact location unknown. The wagon road from Antelope Springs (present-day Flagstaff) to Chino Valley (Fort Whipple) had proven to be very rough, and half the load of each wagon had to be left behind under guard to be retrieved later.

Camp Hualpai
(Prescott National Forest)
(1869 - 1873), Juniper, south of Seligman
An Army (8th Cavalry) tent camp first known as Camp Devin (May 1869), then two weeks later renamed Camp Toll Gate, until August 1870. Abandoned in July 1873. Located on a mesa overlooking Walnut (Mohave) Creek, one and one-half miles southeast of Aztec Pass and northeast of Mount Hope, in the Juniper Mountains within the present-day Prescott National Forest on the Old Military Trail #1 off of Forest Road 95, about two miles west of its junction with Forest Road 6. Sometimes referred to as Fort Hualpai in official reports (note spelling - the Indian tribe of that name is spelled "Hualapai"). Some rock foundations and fireplace pits still remain. A post office for the town of Juniper was established here in 1882 - 1883.

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

Camp Rawlins
(1870 - 1871), near Simmons
A temporary subpost of Whipple Barracks established in February 1870, located 17 miles southeast of Camp Hualpai, in the Williamson Valley west of Paulden. Occupied by the 3rd Cavalry, Companies C and G, during April-August 1870.

Camp Date Creek
(1867 - 1873), Date Creek, and Skull Valley
A Federal post established in January 1867, originally as Camp McPherson located about three miles north of the Date Creek settlement. After only two months (March 1867) the post moved 25 miles north to Skull Valley, following the movements of the Indians, and was renamed Camp Skull Valley. It moved back to Date Creek after only two months (May 1867), the former camp name being restored (?), or now simply known as Camp on Date Creek. The camp was relocated again in August 1867. In 1868 it was moved again, but still along Date Creek. It was formally named Camp Date Creek in November 1868. Occupied in 1868 by the 14th Infantry, Companies H and I. The Date Creek Agency and Indian Reservation was established nearby in 1871 for the Yavapai (also known as the Apache-Mohave) and Hualapai Indians. Some rock walls and adobe ruins, as well as the post cemetery, still remain at the final (fourth) site on the O X Ranch property (private), about 1.4 miles past the ranch headquarters. See also GhostTowns.com || Camp Date Creek Gallery from DavidsHome.com

Fort Whipple
(Prescott V.A. Hospital)
(1864 - 1898, 1902 - 1918), Prescott
First established in December 1863 and originally located about 20 miles north of town on Cienega Creek near Del Rio Ranch north of Chino Valley (no remains, site marked). The first post was composed of a tent camp for the soldiers while construction was begun on several log buildings; a Quartermaster storehouse, Commissary storehouse, hospital, carpenter and blacksmith shops, and corrals for the oxen, mules, beef cattle and sheep brought in from New Mexico. A guardhouse and kitchen were built with stone. This original post also briefly served as the Arizona Territorial Capital from January to May 1864 before the government was transferred to the newly established town of Prescott. The military post was relocated in May 1864 to its present site on Granite Creek on the Yavapai Indian Reservation. The former site on Cienega Creek was then officially renamed Camp Clark, although it may have been known by that name as early as August 1863 when the site was first surveyed by John Clark and a company of CA Volunteers under Capt. Nathaniel Pishon. Further use of the Camp Clark site after 1864 is not documented.

The new post on Granite Creek was a large rectangular pine-log stockade about 200 feet square with several log buildings on each side of the enclosed parade ground. The post hospital was located outside of the stockade. Several stock corrals were also bullt. This site was sometimes also referred to as Camp Whipple. The post was torn down and completely rebuilt in 1869, and was officially designated headquarters of the Military Department of Arizona in April 1870. The adjacent Whipple Quartermaster Depot (also built in 1864) became a separate command from Fort Whipple in October 1870. The Whipple Depot burned down in April 1872 but was rebuilt on a new site by July, and was later renamed Prescott Barracks in 1878. It was merged with Fort Whipple into one reservation called Whipple Barracks in April 1879. The 1st Arizona Territorial Volunteer Infantry were mustered-in here in July 1898. The post was abandoned by the Regular Army in March 1898, but regarrisoned in 1902. Placed on care-taker status in February 1913. A U.S. Army General Hospital was established at Whipple Barracks in 1918. The Public Health Service took over the hospital in 1920, and then the Veterans' Bureau in 1922. In 1931 the newly formed Veterans Administration took over all hospital operations from the War Department. The post is also commonly referred to as the Fort Whipple Hospital. The Fort Whipple Museum is located in a former 1909 Officers' Quarters (Building #11) on the V.A. Hospital campus, jointly operated by the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott V.A. Hospital.

Of interest in town at 415 West Gurley Street is the Sharlot Hall Museum with info on Prescott 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. The site was later used by the AZ National Guard before WWII.

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

Fort Saw Mill
(1872), near Prescott ?
A military post. Probably the Army-operated Government Sawmill on Granite Creek (1864), which was relocated south to Groom Creek in 1872.

Camp Curtis
(unknown dates), near Mayer
Located on Big Bug Creek about four miles above (northwest of) the 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 on the Verde River, an outpost of Fort Whipple, located five miles south of the present fort at the Verde River and West Clear Creek, it was established by the NM Volunteers (1st Infantry) in January 1864 to protect the farmers and miners of the area. Camp Lincoln (2) was later established in December 1865, at or near the site of a crude stone fort (Clear Creek Fort) recently built by local farmers in an ancient Indian ruin (May 1865). The camp was moved four miles north in 1866 and retained the name when it was garrisoned by Army Regulars in September 1866. Renamed Camp Verde (2) in November 1868. Moved one mile further north to its present site near Beaver Creek in the spring of 1871, known as New Camp Verde. It was officially designated a fort in April 1879. The usual garrison was two companies each of infantry and cavalry. Ordered abandoned in April 1890, but remained garrisoned by elements of the 9th Infantry until April 1891. The government auctioned off the fort in 1899 and only four buildings (Officers' quarters) now survive. A museum is in one of these buildings. See also The Disassembly of Fort Verde from The Camp Verde Bugle
(thanks to Jerry Blanz for providing additional info)

Camp Ilges
(1867), near Camp Verde
A temporary overflow campsite (32nd Infantry, Companies A and B) (May-June 1867) on the Verde River near Camp Lincoln (2).

Camp Rio San Francisco
(1863), Yavapai County ?
A temporary camp, a subpost of Fort Whipple. Apparently located somewhere on the Verde River, as this river was known on some period maps, and not on the San Francisco River in Greenlee County.

Perry Mesa Fortifications
(Agua Fria National Monument)
(c.1250 - 1450), near Badger Springs
Several sites located along the Agua Fria River within the National Monument lands contain fortified stone pueblos and/or defensive stone walls, built by the Late Prehistoric people known as the Perry Mesa Culture, the precursors to the Yavapai Indians who lived there at the time of the first Spanish explorations after 1500. The Yavapai were removed from the area in the 1870's by the U.S. Army. Silver Creek Fort is a stone-walled enclosure located just to the west of Pueblo La Plata, the only site officially mapped for the public. Other stone-walled enclosures also exist at Baby Canyon Pueblo, Horseshoe Butte, and also the Black Canyon Fort on Black Mesa. There are no developed trails to any of the archaeological sites. See also Arizona Ruins.com

Indian Mesa Fortification
(Lake Pleasant Regional Park)
(c.1250 - 1450), near Rock Spring
A stone-walled enclosure surrounding a Late Prehistoric village of the Hohokam Culture. Located near the White Bluffs on the north shore of Lake Pleasant within the Agua Fria Conservation Area in Yavapai County, about two miles west of the West Table Mesa Road parking area access point. See also Indian Mesa Ruin by Gordon Burhop

Sears-Kay Fortification
(Tonto National Forest)
(c.1050 - 1200), near Carefree
A stone hilltop structure erected by the pre-historic Hohokam Culture. Discovered in 1867 by soldiers from Fort McDowell, the land became part of the Sears-Kay Ranch in 1887. Hiking access via North Sears-Kay Ruins Road, from North Seven Springs Road, about 14 miles northeast of town. PHOTOS from CEB Imagery LLC

Camp Lewis (1)
(1865 - 1870), west of Strawberry
A temporary Federal camp located on Fossil Creek near the Verde River, about 25 miles east of Camp Verde.

Fort (William) McDonald
(1878 - 1882), near Payson
A settlers' sandstone fort on a butte east of town, built during Indian troubles. It was reportedly still extant in the 1930's.

Camp Reno
(1867 - 1870), near Punkin Center
A subpost of Fort McDowell in the Tonto Creek valley, with several adobe and wood frame buildings surrounded by a stockade. Established in October 1867, abandoned in March 1870. Occupied by the 14th Infantry, Companies D and F (1867-69); 32nd Infantry, Companies A and B (1867-69); and the 21st Infantry, Company A (1869-70). After it was abandoned the buildings were later burned by Indians in 1871. Some adobe and rock ruins remain at the site about two miles west of town on Forest Road 409 near the base of Reno Mountain (Mount Ord). The "Battle of Big Dry Wash" was near here in 1868.

Camp O'Connell
(1868), near Sunflower
A temporary Federal military road construction camp (32nd Infantry, Companies A and B) 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 military road construction camp on the road between Fort McDowell and Camp Reno. Abandoned for Camp O'Connell.

Camp Miller
(1867), near Fort McDowell
A temporary Federal military road construction camp 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 (1st Cavalry, Company K) camp (December 1864). Undetermined exact location, probably somewhere on Tonto Creek.

Camp Roosevelt Dam
(1910's), Roosevelt
Built by the U.S. Army during the Mexican border crisis. There is a known military campsite and trash dump of the period (c. 1915) located within the northeastern corner (north side of AZ 88) of the nearby Tonto National Monument (NPS).

Fort Badger
(1866), near Fort McDowell
Located at the confluence of the Salt (Salado) River and Verde River near the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation. This may have been a settlers' defense.

Fort McDowell
(Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation)
(1865 - 1891), Fort McDowell
Originally named Camp Verde (1) (September 1865) by the CA Volunteers (1st Cavalry, five companies) but soon thereafter renamed Camp McDowell. Designated a fort in April 1879. Ordered abandoned in June 1890, the last garrison (elements of the 4th Cavalry and 9th Infantry) left in January 1891. Became the Yavapai Indian Agency in March 1891. Located about six miles up the Verde River, some ruins remain, one adobe wall segment still stands. The last intact wooden building was demolished in 1990.

Of interest nearby in North Phoenix is the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum, located at 3901 West Pioneer Road. This is a recreated Old West town with restored and replica buildings portraying life during the Arizona Territory period. A replica stockade and adobe fort was built in the mid 1970's, originally intended to be a replica of Fort McDowell, but was later transformed into the fictional "Fort Woods", portraying a Confederate Texas Infantry post during the Civil War. See also Mojave Muleskinners.com

Fort Utah
(1877), Lehi
A Mormon settlers' adobe-walled fort, located about three miles north of Mesa.

Camp Pinal
(Tonto National Forest)
(1870 - 1871), near Miami, and near Superior
Originally known as Infantry Camp, Pinal Mountains, located at the Pinal Ranch near the headwaters of Mineral and Pinto Creeks, six (or eleven ?) miles west of Miami. Occupied by the 21st Infantry, Companies A, E, G, and I, from November 1870 - July 1871. It had been renamed in May 1871.

The post was then relocated as Camp Picket Post, located to the west on Queen Creek near Picket Post Butte, about one and one-half mile west of Superior, but was abandoned after only nine days. The mining town Pinal was later established here in 1877 when the Silver King Mine was opened. Interpretive signage is located on the Picket Post Trail within the Tonto National Forest, hiking access via Forest Road 310.

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

Camp Globe
(1910's), Globe
Built by the U.S. Army for border patrols, before World War I. Regarrisoned again during WWI.

Camp San Carlos
(San Carlos Apache Nation)
(1872 - 1875, 1882 - 1900), near San Carlos
A Federal cavalry and infantry post located on the west bank of the San Carlos River about one mile above its confluence with the Gila River. A temporary camp was first established here in June 1872, the permanent post was begun in May 1873. Later re-established as Post at San Carlos in 1882, as a subpost of Fort Grant (2). Reverted again to Camp San Carlos in October 1894. Later became the San Carlos Apache Indian Agency after it was abandoned by the Army in July 1900. All remaining buildings were destroyed in February 1930 before the creation of the Coolidge Dam (built 1930) and the eventual impoundment of San Carlos Lake. Some ruins of Old San Carlos remain near the present lake shore, visible during times of low water. The San Carlos Apache tribal headquarters was relocated to the new town of San Carlos about eight miles upriver.

Camp Hentig
(1881, 1882, 1887 ?), near San Carlos
Never established as an official military post. This was a transient campsite, originally called Camp Ash Creek, often used on trips between Old San Carlos and Fort Apache. Formally named in 1882 by the Fort Apache troops (6th Cavalry). Located on Ash Creek Flat, east of town.

Camp McCleave
(1864), near Peridot
A temporary campsite that lasted three days (July 1864), located 24 miles northwest of Fort Goodwin, about four miles up the San Carlos River from the Gila River. A group of ancient cliff dwellings were located here.

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)
(Fort Apache Heritage Foundation)
(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. Established in May 1870 by the 1st Cavalry as Camp Ord, it was renamed Camp Mogollon in August 1870, then Camp Thomas (1) in September 1870, and finally as Camp Apache in February 1871. It became a permanent post in 1873, and was designated a fort in April 1879. A military reservation was established in February 1877. 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.

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

NEED MORE INFO: placenames in Yavapai County: "Fort Tule" Peak at the head of Tule Creek, north of Lake Pleasant and east of Castle Hot Springs.
"East Fort" and "South Fort" Mountains within Prescott National Forest southeast of Crown King.

Camp Grierson (1889) unknown location. Camp Lemon Ranch (1864) unknown location. Convalescent Camp (1867) in Pinal County (unknown location).

Southern Arizona - page 2

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