Camp Goodwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Camp Goodwin (historical)
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Locale
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Fort Goodwin
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 Camp Goodwin
Location in Arizona
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Graham |
| Elevation | 2,648 ft (807 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| GNIS feature ID | 23918 |
Camp Goodwin was a historical place, also known as Fort Goodwin. It was located in Graham County, Arizona, high up at 2,648 feet (about 807 meters) above sea level. Today, it is no longer an active settlement.
Contents
History of Camp Goodwin
Building the Fort
Camp Goodwin was built in June 1864. It was put together by a group called the California Volunteers. These soldiers were part of the Union Army during the American Civil War.
The camp was set up in what was then called Arizona Territory. Its main job was to serve as a base for soldiers. They were fighting in the Apache Wars (1861-1872). The fort also helped protect settlers living near the Gila River.
Why the Fort Was Built
The fort was named after John N. Goodwin. He was the very first governor of Arizona Territory. The buildings at the fort were made of adobe. However, they were not built very well. Because of this, they started to fall apart after only a few years.
Problems at the Camp
Life at Camp Goodwin was tough. The camp had a big problem with an illness called malaria. Malaria is a sickness spread by mosquitoes. The mosquitoes lived in a swampy area nearby. This swamp was fed by a spring, which was also where the fort got its water.
The illness made many soldiers sick. Because of this, the Army decided to leave the camp. They abandoned Camp Goodwin in March 1871.
After the Army Left
After the Army left, Camp Goodwin was used for a different purpose. It became a smaller office for the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. This lasted until about 1884.
What Remains Today
Today, there is nothing left of the old fort. The site is now on farmland. It is not far from a ghost town called Geronimo. The only thing that marks the spot is a special survey marker. This marker shows where the fort's flagpole used to stand. It was placed there by the Bureau of Land Management.
