Nevada Forts

American Forts: West

NEVADA

Last Update: 31/DECEMBER/2018

Camp Fish Lake
(1866 - 1867), near Dyer
A temporary post that was intermittently occupied to protect settlers and miners from Indian attacks. Also known as Camp in Fish Lake Valley. Located just west or northwest of town along the state border.

Camp (near) Aurora
(1862), Aurora
A temporary post for the CA Volunteers located at Adobe Meadows, about one mile from the town. This is now a ghost town located 20 miles southwest of Hawthorne, along the state border. Established to keep the peace between settlers and Indians, and also to keep an eye on the local secessionist minority. (See also Adobe Meadows Camp, CA)

Fort Benton
(1845), near Luning
A temporary campsite established by John C. Frémont and Kit Carson during the Third Frémont Expedition (November 1845). Rock ruins exist at the supposed site, located about five miles northwest of town.

Cold Springs Station
(1860's), near Cold Springs
A Pony Express and Butterfield Overland Stage Station just south of town. Intermittently occupied by the military during the Civil War.

Camp at Austin
(1865), Austin
A military detachment was briefly stationed here during a mining boom. The town was founded in 1862 as Pony Canyon.

Mormon Station (State Historic Park)
(1849 - 1857/1861 ?), Genoa
A small log stockade and trade post that was built by Mormon settlers to supply pioneers on the California Trail. This was the state's first permanent white settlement. Enlarged and rebuilt in 1851, with a new log trading post built by John Reese and Stephen Kinsey. Renamed Genoa Stockade or Fort Genoa in 1855. The Mormons sold the fort in 1857. It may have been used as a local trade post for several more years afterward. The Pony Express' Genoa Station in 1860 was most likely here. The original fort was burned down in 1910. A 1947 replica of Reese's trade post is located in the state park. Admission fee. See also Jacob Barlow.com

Camp near Carson City
(1860), near Carson City
A temporary CA Volunteers encampment. Undetermined location.

Penrod Hotel Fort
(1860), Carson City
Townspeople fortified the hotel by surrounding it with barricades after the outbreak of the Pyramid Lake Indian War.

Camp Sadler (1)
(1860's), Carson City
A temporary Civil War era post located at the mouth of Kings Canyon in the western part of town.

Camp Sadler (2)
(1898), Carson City
A Spanish-American War training camp established at a racetrack on the outskirts of town, east of the capitol building. The track was east of Robb Street, south of Palo Verde Drive and north of 5th Street. The track owner wanted to utilize the course for the fall season, so the troops were transferred to Camp Clark (see below).

Camp Clark
(1898), Carson City
A Spanish-American War training camp located at Treadway Park on the west side of town. Site is now the Carson Tahoe Hospital.

Camp Nye
(1862 - 1865), near Carson City
A depot for CA Volunteers (and NV Volunteers after 1864) located in the Carson River basin, about two or three miles west of town. See also Nevada Landmarks

Silver City Fort
(1860), near Silver City
A settlers' or town defense during the Pyramid Lake War. It was a stone breastwork erected on Gold Hill at the Devil's Gate, a narrow gorge which led to the mines of the Comstock Lode. Also known as Fort Homestead. See also Nevada Landmarks

Fort Riley
(1860), Virginia City
A settlers' or town defense during the Pyramid Lake War, in a stone building (Virginia Hotel) that was under construction at the time. It was burned in 1875.

Virginia City Provost Guard
(1864 - 1865), Virginia City
An Army garrison post.

Camp Hays
(1860), near Fort Churchill
A temporary post of the Nevada Militia occupying a Pony Express station called Reed's Station. The post, located about 20 miles east of Carson City on the Carson River, lasted less than a month.

Fort Churchill (State Historic Park)
(1860 - 1871), near Silver Springs
Built by the CA Volunteers to protect mail routes and to subdue the Paiute Indians after the Pyramid Lake War. Also used as a relay station on the Pony Express Route, and as a recruiting station during the Civil War. This was the headquarters of the Military District of Nevada. Originally named Post on Carson River. Often called Churchill Barracks. Ordered abandoned in 1869, but remained at least partially garrisoned until 1871. The adobe fort was abandoned and now lies in ruin. Materiél from the fort was used to rebuild the nearby Buckland Stage Station (1859) in 1870. An attempt was made in 1935 to reconstruct several buildings of the old fort, but that effort was discontinued before it could be completed. Became a state park in 1957, including the restored Buckland Station site in 1994. Admission fee. See also Ghost Towns.com

Williams' Station
(1860), near Silver Springs
A trading post on the Big Bend of the Carson River, built by the two Williams brothers. The two Williams were killed and the post burned down by Indians (May 7, 1860) over a dispute about two Indian women held there. This attack started the Pyramid Lake War. The site is now underwater at the Lahontan Reservoir.

Camp at Desert Wells
(1864), near Stagecoach
Located about 11 miles west of Silver Springs in the Carson River Valley. This may have been the same site as the Desert Wells stage station (1861). See also Nevada Landmarks

Camp Ormsby
(1860), near Nixon
A temporary Army post on the Truckee River, ten miles from Pyramid Lake. Built immediately after the Second Battle of Pyramid Lake (June 2, 1860) fought the same day.
(NOTE: there is a Fort Defiance Creek in this vicinity.)

Fort Storey
(1860), near Nixon
A temporary breastwork built by the local militia (Washoe Volunteer Regiment) under Capt. Edward Storey on June 3, 1860 on the Truckee River, about eight miles south of Pyramid Lake. Storey died on June 7th from wounds suffered in battle on June 2.

Fort Haven
(1860), near Nixon
A temporary earthwork built by the CA Volunteers during the Carson River Expedition (Paiute War) (June 6, 1860). Located on the Truckee River four miles below the town, one mile from Pyramid Lake. Replaced by Fort Churchill in July 1860.

Camp Sage
(1870 ?), near Sutcliffe
A temporary Army field camp on the emigrant route west of Pyramid Lake, between Sutcliffe and Constantia, California, in the general vicinity of Fort Sage Mountain (elevation 8102 feet) about 10 miles southwest of Flanigan.

Camp Smoke Creek
(1862 - 1866), near Robbers Roost
A temporary Army post that was intermittently occupied during the Civil War years. Permanent quarters were built in 1865, but many troops still had to live in tents. Located near the Smoke Creek Depot (or Smoke Creek Station) on the Honey Lake stage route. The site is not shown on most maps, but it was located five miles from the state line west of Smoke Creek Desert and north of the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. Replaced by Camp Pollock (see CALIFORNIA page 1).

Camp McKee
(1865 - 1866), near Gerlach
Originally called Detachment at Granite Creek, the Army occupied the Granite Creek Station after Indians burned it and killed its employees. Renamed in 1866. The garrison was then transferred to Camp McGarry. Located north of town and east of Granite Mountain.

Camp Deep Hole
(1865), near Gerlach
An abandoned stage station (Deep Hole Station) that became a NV Cavalry outpost after April 1865. Located several miles northwest of town, about 12 miles west of Camp McKee.

Camp Black (1)
(1865), Massacre Lake
A temporary CA Volunteers post in the extreme northwest part of the state, east of Vya.

Camp Soldiers Meadow
(1862), near High Rock Lake
A temporary Army post located about 20 miles southwest of Summit Lake. (see also below)

Fort McGarry
(Summit Lake Paiute Tribe)
(1865 - 1868), Summit Lake Indian Reservation
Located on the Applegate Cutoff to Oregon. Originally called Camp at Summit Lake, then Camp McGarry until 1867. It was abandoned and the land given to the Indian Bureau in 1871. Stone ruins of some structures still remain around the old parade ground. Public access restricted.

During the winter of 1865-66 the Summit Lake post was temporarily moved 12 miles southwest to Soldiers Meadow for the warmer climate. Stone-built Officers' Quarters, barracks, a mess hall, and a 100-horse corral were built there. The Soldiers Meadow site was sold in 1866 and became a private ranch. Some stone structures are still extant, in use by the Soldier Meadows Ranch and Lodge. See also History of Soldier Meadows Ranch || Nevada Landmarks

Fairbanks Station
(1865), Humboldt County
A stage station briefly occupied by the Army. Undetermined location.

Fort McDermit
(Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation)
(1865 - 1888), McDermitt
Established by the CA Volunteers (Cavalry). Originally called Quinn River Camp, then Camp McDermit until 1879. After it was abandoned it was converted to the Indian reservation school. It now serves as the Indian Agency for the reservation. The town name was misspelled through a mapmaker's error. See also Nevada Landmarks

Camp at Otter Creek
(1865), near Fort McDermit
A temporary post.

Camp Black (2)
(1865), Paradise Valley
A temporary post for the CA Volunteers.

Fort Redskin
(1865), near Paradise Valley
A settlers' defense of some sort, located east of town.

Camp Winfield Scott
(1866 - 1871), near Paradise Valley
An Army post consisting of only two adobe Officers' quarters, an adobe barracks, and storehouses. Some structures may still exist on a private ranch. Located about four miles east of town on Martin Creek.

Camp Willow Point
(1865), Willow Point
A temporary post for the CA Volunteers on the Little Humboldt River, south of Paradise Valley, about 25 miles north of Winnemucca.

Camp Big Antelope Creek
(1863, 1865), near Imlay
An Army field camp intermittently occupied during the Civil War by troops from Fort Churchill. Located 15 miles west of town, and about 40 miles east of Camp McKee.

Camp Dun Glen
(1863, 1865 - 1866), near Mill City
A CA Volunteer post to protect settlers from Indian attacks. Located six miles east of town in the Dun Glen Canyon. The old town of Dun Glen later became known as Chafey. Site is private property.

Camp Overend
(1865), near Golconda
A temporary Army post that lasted only a few days (June 1865). It was located south of town at Summit Springs.

Camp Lyon
(unknown dates), near Battle Mountain
Located about 20 miles northeast of town.

Camp Winthrop
(unknown dates), near Beowawe
No data.

Fort Carlin
(1874 - 1888), Carlin
A military reservation was formally established on Maggie Creek, one and a half miles north of the present-day town, but permanent structures of any kind were never actually built. The land was then later transferred to the Interior Department.

Camp Elko
(1871), Elko
A proposed post (on paper) that was never actually built.
(thanks to Marshall Sitrin for providing info)

Fort Halleck
(1867 - 1886), near Halleck
Established after Fort Ruby was abandoned. Located 12 miles south of town on Cottonwood Creek. Known as Camp Halleck until 1879. In 1868 it became the headquarters of the Military District of Nevada just before Fort Churchill was abandoned. Nothing remains at the site but a stone monument. See also Nevada Landmarks

Fort Ruby
(1862 - 1869), near Ruby Valley
Officially known as Camp Ruby by the Army beginning in 1867, it was originally built by the CA Volunteers to protect the mail routes from Paiute and Goshute Indians. The actual location is at the south end of Ruby Lake, near the Overland Mountain Pass. The site is on Fort Ruby Ranch, where two original one-story log-covered dugouts had still existed until burned down in 1992. A stone monument was dedicated here in 1994. See also National Historic Landmark Status || Fort Ruby Nevada

Fort Schellbourne
(1860 - 1869), near Cherry Creek
First called Camp Schell. Troops were sent here to protect the Overland Stage and Pony Express Routes. The Schell Creek Stage Station was established here in 1859. The post was abandoned after the Union Pacific Railroad was completed. A small mining town was established here in 1870, of which the remains of some structures still exist on a private ranch at Schell Creek, about 20 miles south of Lages. See also Photos of Schellbourne from Web Panda.com
Nevada Landmarks

Fort Trinity
(1863 - 1864), Eightmile
Located on the Goshute Indian Reservation between Tippett and the state border. Originally called Eight Mile Station, it was frequently occupied by troops from Fort Ruby.

Deep Creek Station
(1864), near Eightmile
A stage station that was garrisoned by the CA Volunteers in 1864. Located on the state line three miles northwest from Fort Trinity.

Antelope Station
(1864), near Little Antelope Mountain
An important stage station located about 40 miles west of Ely, in operation during the 1860's and 1870's. Garrisoned by CA Volunteers in 1864. It had earlier been attacked and burned by Indians in 1859.

Camp Cedar Swamps
(1863), near Atlanta ?
A temporary camp of 2nd CA Cavalry Volunteers located somewhere in the "cedar swamps" of Spring Valley (or Lake Valley ?), north of Meadow Valley, in present-day northern Lincoln County near the state border with Utah.

(Old Las Vegas) Mormon Fort (State Historic Park)
(Friends of the Fort)
(1855 - 1858, 1862, 1864 - 1867), Las Vegas
Other names include Las Vegas Fort and Stockade at Las Vegas. It was a Mormon settlers' 190-foot square (0.51 acre) adobe-walled compound. It is also the site of the first permanent white settlement in the southern part of the state. After the Mormons were recalled to Utah, the abandoned fort served as a stage station. California troops briefly occupied it during the Civil War, known initially as Detachment at Las Vegas, then apparently renamed Fort Baker as a ruse to mislead Confederates in New Mexico. Became a private ranch after the Civil War. The remaining original building next to the creek is the oldest building still extant in the state. The rest of the post has been reconstructed. Located at 500 East Washington Avenue. Admission fee. A 1939 Daughters of Utah Pioneers stone monument is located on site. See also Las Vegas Mormon Fort from City of Las Vegas

The area below the 37th Parallel (present Clark County and the southern tip of Nye County) was once part of New Mexico / Arizona Territory until transferred to the State of Nevada in 1867.

Fort Call
(1867), Callville
The old town was established by the Mormons on the Colorado River. Occassionally garrisoned by troops from Camp El Dorado. Also called Fort Callville or Detachment at Callville. Located 40 miles east of Las Vegas, the site is now under Lake Mead.

Camp Williston
(1941 - 1944), Boulder City
An Army Military Police Battalion security encampment, with several small outposts, to protect the Boulder/Hoover Dam and the power transmission lines against sabotage. The camp was originally named Camp Sibert before it was renamed. Three concrete observation stations were built at strategic locations, only one still exists (actually on the Arizona side of the river).

Camp El Dorado
(1867), near Nelson
Also called Camp in El Dorado Canyon. A temporary Army post to protect gold miners in the area. Located seven miles east of town on the Colorado River.

NEED MORE INFO: Fort Defiance Creek near Pyramid Lake.
Towns:

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