Occupied on the site of the old Spanish Mission, Puerto de la Purisima
Concepcion, built by Father Francisco Garces.
Originally called Camp Calhoun, after Senator John C. Calhoun, it was built
to aid worn-out and hungry gold seekers and to attend to wants of scientists,
emigrants, and various bands of Indians. It was established on October
2, 1849 by Amiel Whipple's Survey escort.
This post was moved December 1, 1850 and re-established below the ferry
crossing by Col. Samuel P. Heintzelman.
The post was abandoned in March 1851 and reestablished on the site of Camp
Calhoun and renamed Camp Yuma after the Indians. The Fort endured many
attacks by Yuma, Maricopa, and Cocopah Indians. Fort relinquished
by the Army and buildings assigned to the Yuma Indian Reservation on March
5, 1892.
If
you would like to know more about the author of this site, Jeffrey Scott,
feel free to visit his homepage. In
addition, if you have any questions about this site or Arizona History,
feel free to e-mail Jeffrey
