Jump to content

Fort Yuma: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
mNo edit summary
(30 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|US Army fort (1851–1853) in California near Yuma, Arizona}}
{{for|the film|Fort Yuma (film)}}
{{for|the film|Fort Yuma (film)}}
{{Infobox military structure
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Fort Yuma
| name = Fort Yuma
| partof = [[Department of the West]]
| partof = [[Department of the West]]
| location = [[Imperial County, California|Imperial County]], [[California|California, USA]]
| location = [[Imperial County, California|Imperial County]], [[California|California, USA]]
| image = [[File:Fort Yuma California 1875.jpg|300px]]
| image = Fort Yuma California 1875.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Fort Yuma in 1875
| caption = Fort Yuma in 1875
| map_type =
| map_type =
| coordinates = {{coord|32.732|-114.616|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| latitude = 32.732
| longitude = -114.616
| type = Outpost
| type = Outpost
| code =
| code =
Line 21: Line 22:
| materials = Adobe, Wood
| materials = Adobe, Wood
| demolished =
| demolished =
| battles = [[Yuma War]]<br>[[Mohave War]]<br>[[American Civil War]]
| battles = [[Yuma War]]<br />[[Mohave War]]<br />[[American Civil War]]
| events =
| events =
| current_commander =
| current_commander =
| past_commanders = [[Samuel P. Heintzelman]]<br>[[George Henry Thomas]]<ref>{{cite web |title=POST RETURN of Fort Yuma, California for July 1854 |url=http://home.att.net/~dmercado/fort_yuma.htm |work=George H. Thomas Chronology |publisher=~dmercado |date=1998-01-01 |accessdate=2009-05-16}}</ref>
| past_commanders = [[Samuel P. Heintzelman]]<br />[[George Henry Thomas]]<ref>{{cite web |title=POST RETURN of Fort Yuma, California for July 1854 |url=http://home.att.net/~dmercado/fort_yuma.htm |work=George H. Thomas Chronology |publisher=~dmercado |date=1998-01-01 |access-date=2009-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007070510/http://home.att.net/~dmercado/fort_yuma.htm |archive-date=2008-10-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| garrison = [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|1st Dragoons]]<br>[[2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|2nd Infantry Regiment]]<br>[[6th Infantry Regiment (United States)|6th Infantry Regiment]]<br>[[Quartermaster Corps (United States Army)|Quartermaster Corps]]<br>[[1st California Infantry]]
| garrison = [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|1st Dragoons]]<br />[[2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|2nd Infantry Regiment]]<br />[[6th Infantry Regiment (United States)|6th Infantry Regiment]]<br />[[Quartermaster Corps (United States Army)|Quartermaster Corps]]<br />[[1st California Infantry]]
| occupants = [[United States Army]]<br>[[Quechan#History|Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation]]
| occupants = [[United States Army]]<br />[[Quechan#History|Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation]]
| module = {{designation list
| module = {{designation list
|embed=yes
|embed=yes
Line 39: Line 40:
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Fort Yuma''' is a [[fort]] in [[California]] that is located in [[Imperial County, California|Imperial County]], across the [[Colorado River]] from [[Yuma, Arizona]]. It was on the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] route from 1858 until 1861 and was abandoned May 16, 1883, and transferred to the [[Department of the Interior]]. The Fort Yuma Indian School and the [[Saint Thomas Yuma Indian Mission]] now occupy the site. It is one of the "associated sites" listed as [[Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites]] on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in the [[Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> In addition, it is registered as [[California Historical Landmark]] #806.<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|806|Fort Yuma|2012-10-07}}</ref>
'''Fort Yuma''' was a [[fort]] in [[California]] located in [[Imperial County, California|Imperial County]], across the [[Colorado River]] from [[Yuma, Arizona]]. It was Established in 1848. It served as a stop on the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] route from 1858 until 1861. The fort was retired from active military service on May 16, 1883, and transferred to the [[Department of the Interior]]. The Fort Yuma Indian School and the [[Saint Thomas Yuma Indian Mission]] now occupy the site. It is one of the "associated sites" listed as [[Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites]] on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in the [[Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> In addition, it is registered as [[California Historical Landmark]] #806.<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|806|Fort Yuma|2012-10-07}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 46: Line 47:
First established after the end of the [[Mexican–American War]] (1848), the fort was originally located in the bottoms near the [[Colorado River]], less than a mile below the mouth of the [[Gila River]]. It was constructed to defend the newly settled community of Yuma, [[New Mexico Territory]], located on the other side of the Colorado River, and the nearby Mexican border.
First established after the end of the [[Mexican–American War]] (1848), the fort was originally located in the bottoms near the [[Colorado River]], less than a mile below the mouth of the [[Gila River]]. It was constructed to defend the newly settled community of Yuma, [[New Mexico Territory]], located on the other side of the Colorado River, and the nearby Mexican border.


In March 1851 the post was moved to a small elevation on the Colorado's west bank. This site had been occupied by Camp Calhoun, named for Senator [[John C. Calhoun]]. It was established on October 2, 1849, by 1st Lieutenant Cave J. Couts, 1st Dragoons, for the boundary survey party led by 2nd Lieutenant [[Amiel W. Whipple]], Corps of Topographical Engineers. A ferry service, maintained by the soldiers for the survey party's convenience, also accommodated emigrants.
In March 1851 the post was moved to a small elevation on the Colorado's west bank. This site had been occupied by Camp Calhoun, named for Senator [[John C. Calhoun]]. It was established on October 2, 1849, by 1st [[Lieutenant Cave J. Couts]], 1st Dragoons, for the boundary survey party led by 2nd Lieutenant [[Amiel W. Whipple]], Corps of Topographical Engineers. A ferry service, maintained by the soldiers for the survey party's convenience, also accommodated emigrants.


Fort Yuma was established during the [[Yuma War]] to protect the southern emigrant travel route to California and to attempt control of the territorial [[Quechan]], or Yumans, in their homeland, the surrounding {{convert|100|mi|km|sing=on}} area. Established by Captain [[Samuel P. Heintzelman]], [[2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|2nd Infantry Regiment]], the fort was originally named 'Camp Independence.'<ref>{{cite web |last=Hart |first=Herbert |title=Historic California Posts: Fort Yuma |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/FtYuma.html |date= |work=The California State Military Museum |publisher=California State Military Department |accessdate=18 August 2009}}</ref>
Fort Yuma was established during the [[Yuma War]] to protect the southern emigrant travel route to California and to attempt control of the territorial [[Quechan]], or Yumans, in their homeland, the surrounding {{convert|100|mi|km|adj=on}} area. Established by Captain [[Samuel P. Heintzelman]], [[2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|2nd Infantry Regiment]], the fort was originally named 'Camp Independence.'<ref>{{cite web |last=Hart |first=Herbert |title=Historic California Posts: Fort Yuma |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/FtYuma.html |work=The California State Military Museum |publisher=California State Military Department |access-date=18 August 2009}}</ref>


In March 1851, when the post was moved to its permanent site, its name was changed to '''Camp Yuma'''. A year later the post was designated '''Fort Yuma'''. In June 1851 the Army virtually abandoned the post because of the high costs incurred in maintaining it, and it was completely abandoned on December 6, 1851, when its commissary was practically empty of provisions. The post, however, was reoccupied by Captain Heintzelman on February 29, 1852.
In March 1851, when the post was moved to its permanent site, its name was changed to '''Camp Yuma'''. A year later the post was designated '''Fort Yuma'''. In June 1851 the Army virtually abandoned the post because of the high costs incurred in maintaining it, and it was completely abandoned on December 6, 1851, when its commissary was practically empty of provisions. The post, however, was reoccupied by Captain Heintzelman on February 29, 1852.


It was difficult to supply the post during its early years. Food supplies and construction materials were shipped by water from [[San Diego, California]], around the [[Baja Peninsula]] and up the [[Gulf of California]] to the mouth of the Colorado River at the [[Colorado River Delta]] in [[Mexico]]. The work of transferring the goods to wagons at that point and hauling them across the [[Yuma Desert]] and [[Yuha Desert]] to Yuma was rigorous and time consuming. Life at the post was harsh and the military's resolve to maintain a [[garrison]] here vacillated. Only after August 1852 did the temporary Camp Yuma became permanent Fort Yuma, and the Army resolved to stay for good. In November 1852 a steamboat, Uncle Sam was launched and in December began carrying a cargo up the Colorado River from [[Robinson's Landing]] it arrived at Fort Yuma and delivered thirty-two tons of goods on December 3. Steamboats continued to supply the fort and later settlements on the Colorado River in this way until the arrival of the railroad in 1877.
It was difficult to supply the post during its early years. Food supplies and construction materials were shipped by water from [[San Diego, California]], around the [[Baja Peninsula]] and up the [[Gulf of California]] to the mouth of the Colorado River at the [[Colorado River Delta]] in [[Mexico]]. The work of transferring the goods to wagons at that point and hauling them across the [[Yuma Desert]] and [[Yuha Desert]] to Yuma was rigorous and time-consuming. Life at the post was harsh and the military's resolve to maintain a [[garrison]] here vacillated. Only after August 1852 did the temporary Camp Yuma became permanent Fort Yuma, and the Army resolved to stay for good. In November 1852 a steamboat, Uncle Sam was launched and in December began carrying a cargo up the Colorado River from [[Robinson's Landing]] it arrived at Fort Yuma and delivered thirty-two tons of goods on December 3. Steamboats continued to supply the fort and later settlements on the Colorado River in this way until the arrival of the railroad in 1877.
[[File:Map_of_a_Reconnaissance_of_the_Colorado_River_From_the_Mouth_of_the_Gila_-_NARA_-_93193141.jpg|thumb|Map of a Reconnaissance of the Colorado River From the Mouth of the Gila by 1st Lieutenant J.L. White, 3rd U.S. Artillery, 20 January 1858 (NAID 93193141)]]

Only one military action occurred at the fort when Yuman warriors surrounded it during the [[Yuma War]], temporarily trapping the future general [[Thomas William Sweeny]] and a few others.
Only one military action occurred at the fort when Yuman warriors surrounded it during the [[Yuma War]], temporarily trapping the future general [[Thomas William Sweeny]] and a few others. The action was led by Matthew P. Coltrain. He was awarded a Medal of Honor and a statue in remembrance of his heroic actions.


From 1858 to 1861 the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] had a [[stagecoach]] station near the fort, that was subsequently used by other stage lines until the advent of the railroad in 1877.
From 1858 to 1861 the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] had a [[stagecoach]] station near the fort, that was subsequently used by other stage lines until the advent of the railroad in 1877.


===Civil War===
===Civil War===
During the [[American Civil War]], the Union retained control of Fort Yuma when the [[1st California Infantry|First California Infantry]] replaced Regular Army soldiers sent East in December 1861.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regiments of the California Volunteers in Federal Service, 1st Regiment of Infantry |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/1stInfCV.html |date= |work=The California State Military Museum |publisher=California State Military Department |accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref> The southern half of [[New Mexico Territory]] seceded, becoming the [[Confederate Territory of Arizona]] until 1862 when the [[California Column]] marching from Fort Yuma expelled the Confederacy, marching as far as western [[Texas]]. In 1863 the Union established their control of the region as the [[Arizona Territory]]. Fort Yuma served as the supply point for the Union garrisons there. There was no battle action at the fort since the western United States was far removed from the Civil War.<ref>{{cite web |title=The California Column |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/CaliforniaColumn2.html |date= |work=The California Military Museum |publisher=California State Military Department |accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref>
During the [[American Civil War]], the Union retained control of Fort Yuma when the [[1st California Infantry|First California Infantry]] replaced Regular Army soldiers sent East in December 1861.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regiments of the California Volunteers in Federal Service, 1st Regiment of Infantry |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/1stInfCV.html |work=The California State Military Museum |publisher=California State Military Department |access-date=30 July 2009}}</ref> The southern half of [[New Mexico Territory]] seceded, becoming the [[Confederate Territory of Arizona]] until 1862 when the [[California Column]] marching from Fort Yuma expelled the Confederacy, marching as far as western [[Texas]]. In 1863 the Union established their control of the region as the [[Arizona Territory]]. Fort Yuma served as the supply point for the Union garrisons there. There was no battle action at the fort since the western United States was far removed from the Civil War.<ref>{{cite web |title=The California Column |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/CaliforniaColumn2.html |work=The California Military Museum |publisher=California State Military Department |access-date=30 July 2009}}</ref>


===Post-Civil War===
===Post-Civil War===
Line 67: Line 68:


Supplies were unloaded at the depot and hauled up a track running from the dock to a storehouse. The depot quartered up to 900 mules and crews of teamsters to handle them. The [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] reached Yuma in 1877. There was little need for the Quartermaster Depot and Fort Yuma, and they were abandoned on May 16, 1883. The reservation was transferred to the [[Interior Department]] on July 22, 1884.
Supplies were unloaded at the depot and hauled up a track running from the dock to a storehouse. The depot quartered up to 900 mules and crews of teamsters to handle them. The [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] reached Yuma in 1877. There was little need for the Quartermaster Depot and Fort Yuma, and they were abandoned on May 16, 1883. The reservation was transferred to the [[Interior Department]] on July 22, 1884.

The Fort Yuma Indian School opened in 1884, operated by Presbyterians. In 1886, the [[Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet]] took over operations of the school.<ref>https://ctah.archivistsacwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/List-5.5.2023.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref>


==Present day==
==Present day==
Fort Yuma is now part of the [[Fort Yuma Indian Reservation]]. Numerous historic buildings remain from the military period in the [[Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites]] in the [[Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area]]. The [[Yuma Territorial Prison]] and [[Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park]]s are in Arizona with buildings preserved or reconstructed, and with museums.
Fort Yuma is now part of the [[Fort Yuma Indian Reservation]]. Numerous historic buildings remain from the military period in the [[Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites]] in the [[Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area]]. The [[Yuma Territorial Prison]] and [[Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park]]s are in Arizona with buildings preserved or reconstructed, and with museums. The [[Yuma Proving Ground]] is the lineal Army descendant of these original military posts in the Yuma area.

==Historic structures==
The following images are of the historic structures in Fort Yuma.

{{Gallery
|title=Historic Fort Yuma<br />[[File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Fort Yuma Historic Marker.jpg|250px|center|thumb|{{center|'''Fort Yuma Historic Marker'''}}]]
|width=180px
|height=200px
|align=center
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Fort Yuma Commanding Officer's Quarters-1870-3.jpg |Fort Yuma Commanding Officer's Quarters
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Fort Yuma Officer's Kitchen & Cottage-1870.jpg |Fort Yuma Officer's Kitchen & Cottage
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Fort Yuma Old Barracks.-1870- in California.jpg |Fort Yuma Old Barracks
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Southern Pacific Railroad Station-1877-1.jpg |Ruins of the Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Southern Pacific Railroad Station-1877-2.jpg |Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Southern Pacific Railroad Station-1877-3.jpg |Inside the Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station ticket office
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal.-Southern Pacific Railroad Station-1877-6.jpg |Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal-Garcés Memorial Hall-1938-2.jpg |Father Garcés Memorial Hall
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal-Garcés Memorial Hall-1938-1.jpg |Father Garcés Memorial Hall marker
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal-St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church-1922-3.jpg |St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church
|File:Fort Yuma, Cal-St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church-1922-1.jpg |St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church marker
}}


==See also==
The [[Yuma Proving Grounds]] is the lineal Army descendant of these original military posts in the Yuma area.
*[[California Historical Landmarks in Imperial County]]
*[[California Historical Landmark]]


==References==
==References==
Line 82: Line 108:


[[Category:Forts in California|Yuma]]
[[Category:Forts in California|Yuma]]
[[Category:American Civil War forts|Yuma]]
[[Category:American Civil War forts and army posts in California]]
[[Category:Butterfield Overland Mail in California]]
[[Category:Butterfield Overland Mail in California]]
[[Category:San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line]]
[[Category:San Antonio–San Diego Mail Line]]
[[Category:California in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Closed installations of the United States Army]]
[[Category:Closed installations of the United States Army]]
[[Category:History of Imperial County, California]]
[[Category:History of Imperial County, California]]
Line 100: Line 125:
[[Category:Quechan]]
[[Category:Quechan]]
[[Category:Yuma War|Fort Yuma]]
[[Category:Yuma War|Fort Yuma]]
[[Category:American Civil War on the National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Stagecoach stops in the United States]]
[[Category:Military installations established in 1851]]
[[Category:Military installations closed in 1883]]
[[Category:1883 disestablishments in California]]

Revision as of 13:15, 19 August 2024

For the film, see Fort Yuma (film).
Fort Yuma
Part of Department of the West
Imperial County, California, USA
Fort Yuma in 1875
Coordinates32°43′55″N 114°36′58″W / 32.732°N 114.616°W / 32.732; -114.616
TypeOutpost
Site information
OwnerFederal government of the United States
Controlled byBureau of Indian Affairs
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRestored
Site history
Built1851
Built byUnited States Army
In use1851–83
MaterialsAdobe, Wood
Battles/warsYuma War
Mohave War
American Civil War
Garrison information
Past
commanders		Samuel P. Heintzelman
George Henry Thomas[1]
Garrison1st Dragoons
2nd Infantry Regiment
6th Infantry Regiment
Quartermaster Corps
1st California Infantry
OccupantsUnited States Army
Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation
Part ofYuma Crossing and Associated Sites
Reference no.66000197[2]
DesignatedNovember 13, 1966[2]
Part ofYuma Crossing and Associated Sites
Reference no.806[3]

Fort Yuma was a fort in California located in Imperial County, across the Colorado River from Yuma, Arizona. It was Established in 1848. It served as a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route from 1858 until 1861. The fort was retired from active military service on May 16, 1883, and transferred to the Department of the Interior. The Fort Yuma Indian School and the Saint Thomas Yuma Indian Mission now occupy the site. It is one of the "associated sites" listed as Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites on the National Register of Historic Places in the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.[2] In addition, it is registered as California Historical Landmark #806.[3]

History

Pre-Civil War

First established after the end of the Mexican–American War (1848), the fort was originally located in the bottoms near the Colorado River, less than a mile below the mouth of the Gila River. It was constructed to defend the newly settled community of Yuma, New Mexico Territory, located on the other side of the Colorado River, and the nearby Mexican border.

In March 1851 the post was moved to a small elevation on the Colorado's west bank. This site had been occupied by Camp Calhoun, named for Senator John C. Calhoun. It was established on October 2, 1849, by 1st Lieutenant Cave J. Couts, 1st Dragoons, for the boundary survey party led by 2nd Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple, Corps of Topographical Engineers. A ferry service, maintained by the soldiers for the survey party's convenience, also accommodated emigrants.

Fort Yuma was established during the Yuma War to protect the southern emigrant travel route to California and to attempt control of the territorial Quechan, or Yumans, in their homeland, the surrounding 100-mile (160 km) area. Established by Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman, 2nd Infantry Regiment, the fort was originally named 'Camp Independence.'[4]

In March 1851, when the post was moved to its permanent site, its name was changed to Camp Yuma. A year later the post was designated Fort Yuma. In June 1851 the Army virtually abandoned the post because of the high costs incurred in maintaining it, and it was completely abandoned on December 6, 1851, when its commissary was practically empty of provisions. The post, however, was reoccupied by Captain Heintzelman on February 29, 1852.

It was difficult to supply the post during its early years. Food supplies and construction materials were shipped by water from San Diego, California, around the Baja Peninsula and up the Gulf of California to the mouth of the Colorado River at the Colorado River Delta in Mexico. The work of transferring the goods to wagons at that point and hauling them across the Yuma Desert and Yuha Desert to Yuma was rigorous and time-consuming. Life at the post was harsh and the military's resolve to maintain a garrison here vacillated. Only after August 1852 did the temporary Camp Yuma became permanent Fort Yuma, and the Army resolved to stay for good. In November 1852 a steamboat, Uncle Sam was launched and in December began carrying a cargo up the Colorado River from Robinson's Landing it arrived at Fort Yuma and delivered thirty-two tons of goods on December 3. Steamboats continued to supply the fort and later settlements on the Colorado River in this way until the arrival of the railroad in 1877.

Map of a Reconnaissance of the Colorado River From the Mouth of the Gila by 1st Lieutenant J.L. White, 3rd U.S. Artillery, 20 January 1858 (NAID 93193141)

Only one military action occurred at the fort when Yuman warriors surrounded it during the Yuma War, temporarily trapping the future general Thomas William Sweeny and a few others. The action was led by Matthew P. Coltrain. He was awarded a Medal of Honor and a statue in remembrance of his heroic actions.

From 1858 to 1861 the Butterfield Overland Mail had a stagecoach station near the fort, that was subsequently used by other stage lines until the advent of the railroad in 1877.

Civil War

During the American Civil War, the Union retained control of Fort Yuma when the First California Infantry replaced Regular Army soldiers sent East in December 1861.[5] The southern half of New Mexico Territory seceded, becoming the Confederate Territory of Arizona until 1862 when the California Column marching from Fort Yuma expelled the Confederacy, marching as far as western Texas. In 1863 the Union established their control of the region as the Arizona Territory. Fort Yuma served as the supply point for the Union garrisons there. There was no battle action at the fort since the western United States was far removed from the Civil War.[6]

Post-Civil War

Fort Yuma was closely associated with the Yuma Quartermaster Depot on the Arizona side of the river, which provided military supplies and personnel to posts throughout Arizona and New Mexico. The Quartermaster Depot operated between 1864 and 1891, though the Army terminated most operations there eight years earlier.

The depot was used by the Army to store and distribute supplies for all military posts in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas during the Indian War period. A six-month supply of clothing, food, ammunition, and other goods was stored at the depot at all times. Supplies were brought from California by ocean vessels traveling around the Baja Peninsula to Port Isabel near the mouth of the Colorado River. There, cargos were transferred to river steamers and brought upstream to Yuma.

Supplies were unloaded at the depot and hauled up a track running from the dock to a storehouse. The depot quartered up to 900 mules and crews of teamsters to handle them. The Southern Pacific Railroad reached Yuma in 1877. There was little need for the Quartermaster Depot and Fort Yuma, and they were abandoned on May 16, 1883. The reservation was transferred to the Interior Department on July 22, 1884.

The Fort Yuma Indian School opened in 1884, operated by Presbyterians. In 1886, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet took over operations of the school.[7]

Present day

Fort Yuma is now part of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation. Numerous historic buildings remain from the military period in the Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites in the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. The Yuma Territorial Prison and Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Parks are in Arizona with buildings preserved or reconstructed, and with museums. The Yuma Proving Ground is the lineal Army descendant of these original military posts in the Yuma area.

Historic structures

The following images are of the historic structures in Fort Yuma.

Historic Fort Yuma
Fort Yuma Historic Marker
  • Fort Yuma Commanding Officer's Quarters
    Fort Yuma Commanding Officer's Quarters
  • Fort Yuma Officer's Kitchen & Cottage
    Fort Yuma Officer's Kitchen & Cottage
  • Fort Yuma Old Barracks
    Fort Yuma Old Barracks
  • Ruins of the Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
    Ruins of the Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
  • Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
    Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
  • Inside the Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station ticket office
    Inside the Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station ticket office
  • Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
    Fort Yuma Southern Pacific Railroad Station
  • Father Garcés Memorial Hall
    Father Garcés Memorial Hall
  • Father Garcés Memorial Hall marker
    Father Garcés Memorial Hall marker
  • St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church
    St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church
  • St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church marker
    St. Thomas Indian Mission Catholic Church marker

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fort Yuma.
  • U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, historical records, Public Affairs Office.
  1. ^ "POST RETURN of Fort Yuma, California for July 1854". George H. Thomas Chronology. ~dmercado. 1998-01-01. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  2. ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Fort Yuma". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  4. ^ Hart, Herbert. "Historic California Posts: Fort Yuma". The California State Military Museum. California State Military Department. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Regiments of the California Volunteers in Federal Service, 1st Regiment of Infantry". The California State Military Museum. California State Military Department. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  6. ^ "The California Column". The California Military Museum. California State Military Department. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  7. ^ https://ctah.archivistsacwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/List-5.5.2023.pdf [bare URL PDF]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fort_Yuma&oldid=1241124574"