California Forts of the Old West

California Forts of the Old West - Page 2

Fort Guijarros - San Diego's first harbor defense, was a thick-walled adobe fortress which was built about 1797 by the Spanish on what is now known as Ballast Point. Commanding the entrance to San Diego Bay, it had ten cannons mounted in gun emplacements that were were fired in action only twice, once in what was known as the "Battle of San Diego" between an American ship and Spanish soldiers, and the second time, also against an American ship when the post was under Mexican control.

In 1873 the United States Army took over Ballast Point, building gun batteries that were maintained through both World Wars. In 1890 a lighthouse was built that survived until 1957. In 1962 the United States Navy built a submarine base on Ballast Point as home port for the Pacific Fleet's nuclear attack submarines.

Fort Guijarros by Jay Wegter, 1990, courtesy of the Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation

Though nothing remains of the original fort at the historic site today, two of its original guns can be seen, one at Fort Stockton, and the other in Old Town Plaza in San Diego. The Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation also engages in archeological digs and historical research in the history of Ballast Point.

Fort Humboldt - Situated on a bluff overlooking Humboldt Bay in present day Eureka, California, Fort Humboldt was founded in 1853 by Captain R. C. Buchanan and Companies B and F of the 4th U.S. Infantry. The remote military post was established to assist in the numerous conflicts arising between the native Indians and the many gold-seekers and settlers who had begun flooding into the area after the discovery of gold in the northern mines. One of the first soldiers to be stationed here was none other than Captain Ulysses S. Grant in 1853-54. soldiers at the post built 14 buildings, which included the barracks, bakery, a blacksmith, hospital, stable, blacksmith, Officer's Quarters, and Laundress' Quarters.

Historic Fort Humboldt, California

Historic Fort Humboldt, painting by Al Sondag

The fort was the central base in the Indian Wars in the region until 1865 but was entirely abandoned by 1867. The buildings rapidly deteriorated and after many years, the land was transferred to the State of California.

Today, the old post is the Fort Humboldt State Historic Park. Only the hospital building remains out of the original fourteen structures. In the 1980s the Surgeon’s Quarters were reconstructed and there are plans for its establishment as a period house museum. he park also includes a Logging Museum which displays not only the area's logging history, but also early Native American life, and the tragic violence that occurred between gold miners and Native Americans in the mid 19th century.

Contact Information:

Fort Humboldt State Historic Park

3431 Fort Avenue
Eureka, California 95503

707-445-6567

Fort Independence (1862-1877) - Initially called Camp Independence, the post was established on Oak Creek, three miles north of present-day Independence, California on July 4, 1862 during the Owens Valley Indian War. It was abandoned when hostilities ended with the Owens Valley Paiute in December, 1864. However, just a few months later, conflicts with the Paiute began again and the fort was reoccupied by Nevada Volunteers in March 1865.

Fort Humboldt today, courtesy Fort Humboldt State Historic Park

The post was entirely abandoned on July 5, 1877 and transferred to the Interior Department for disposition in 1884. When the military left the valley, the native people of the area held various allotments adjacent to the Fort and eventually assumed control of the land. The Fort Independence Reservation was officially established in 1915 providing Tribal members with 360 acres of land adjacent to Oak Creek. Today, the membership is about 140 members, approximately half of whom live on the reservation.

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