Landmark #806 | Imperial County | Visited: Sept. 16, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
What is it? | A plaque commemorating Fort Yuma, which kept the Quechan Tribe in check! |
What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Originally called Camp Calhoun, the site was first used as a U.S. military post in 1849. A fire destroyed the original buildings. By 1855 the barracks had been rebuilt. Called Camp Yuma in 1852, it became Fort Yuma after reconstruction. Transferred to the Department of the Interior and the Quechan Indian Tribe in 1884, it became a boarding school operated by the Catholic Church until 1900.
OTHER TIDBITS: This camp was founded by Lieutenant Cave C. Couts, who also founded Camp Salvation! It was intended to protect westward travelers on the way to the gold fields via the Southern Emigrant Trail, but it suffered from a lack of supplies and only lasted two years! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: On bank of Colorado River 350 Picacho Rd Winterhaven, CA 92283 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~270mi (435km) — 4.5hrs |
When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |