Camp Watson facts for kids

Camp Watson was an army camp in central Oregon. It was used from 1864 to 1869.

History of Camp Watson

Camp Watson was set up by soldiers from Oregon on July 10, 1864. A group of soldiers called the 1st Oregon Cavalry built several wooden buildings there. However, they did not build a fence or wall around the camp.

The camp's main purpose was to keep a travel route safe. This route was called the Dalles-Boise Military Road. Many people, especially gold miners, used this road. The soldiers wanted to protect travelers from attacks during a conflict known as the Snake War. Camp Watson was closed down in 1869 after this war ended.

How Camp Watson Got Its Name

The camp was named after a soldier named Second Lieutenant Stephen Watson. He was killed in a fight during the Snake War on May 18, 1864. This happened at a place called Luelling Springs, Oregon.

His body was found the next day. He was first buried for a short time at Camp Maury. Later, his body was moved to Fort Vancouver in Washington. He is still buried there today.

Camp Watson Today

Today, the area where Camp Watson once stood is in Wheeler County, Oregon. It is near a small, unnamed community called Antone. This spot is about 23 miles southeast of the town of Mitchell. All these places were founded after Camp Watson was no longer used.