Drum Barracks facts for kids
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Drum Barracks
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Officers' quarters of Drum Barracks, August 2008
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1052 Banning Blvd., 1053 Cary St. Wilmington, Los Angeles, California |
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| Built | 1862–1863 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000161 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1971 |
The Drum Barracks, also known as Camp Drum, is a special place in Los Angeles. It's the only original military building left from the American Civil War in the area. You can find it in Wilmington, close to the Port of Los Angeles.
This historic site has been recognized in many ways. It's a California Historic Landmark and a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1987, the Drum Barracks has been a museum. It's open to everyone who wants to learn about the Civil War.
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Why Drum Barracks Was Built
When the American Civil War started in 1861, people in the Union were worried. Many people in Los Angeles had recently moved from the Southern states. In the 1860 election, more people in the area voted for a Southern candidate than for Abraham Lincoln.
Some groups were even practicing military drills. They were showing California's Bear flag instead of the American flag. This made the Union leaders concerned about loyalty.
How Wilmington Became a Military Base
Phineas Banning was the founder of Wilmington. He wrote to President Lincoln. Banning warned that the Union might lose California if they didn't act.
At first, Union soldiers moved from Fort Tejon to a place called Camp Latham. But soon, Banning and Benjamin Davis Wilson helped find a better spot. They gave 60 acres of land in Wilmington to the government for just one dollar each.
By early 1862, the military moved its main camp to Wilmington. This new camp was first called Camp Drum. It was built between 1862 and 1863. The project cost $1 million. The camp had 19 buildings on 60 acres. There were also 37 more acres near the harbor. By 1864, it was officially known as Drum Barracks.
Who Was Colonel Drum?
Camp Drum and Drum Barracks were named after Colonel Richard C. Drum. He was an important army officer. He worked for the Army's Department of the Pacific. He was stationed in San Francisco.
The camp was not named after a musical drum. There is no record that Colonel Drum ever visited the place named after him.
Drum Barracks During the Civil War
During the Civil War, Drum Barracks was very important. It was the main headquarters for the District of Southern California. It was also home to the California Column. This group of soldiers was led by Colonel James Henry Carleton.
Between 2,000 and 7,000 soldiers were stationed at Camp Drum. Because of this, Wilmington became a very busy town. It even had more people than Los Angeles during the war!
The California Column's Journey
In 1862, soldiers from Texas had taken over parts of New Mexico Territory. This area included what is now Arizona. Colonel Carleton was ordered to take back control.
About 2,350 soldiers from the California Column marched from Camp Drum. They fought in the Battle of Picacho Pass. This was the westernmost battle of the entire Civil War.
Protecting the Coast
In 1864, the government worried about Confederate supporters. They feared these groups might try to use private ships to attack Union ships. These Union ships were carrying gold and silver from the Comstock Lode. This money was important for the Union war effort.
To stop this, Union troops occupied Catalina Island. They arrived on January 1, 1864. They stopped gold mining there and asked everyone to leave the island. A small group of Union soldiers stayed at Camp Santa Catalina Island. Their old barracks are still there today. They are the oldest building on the island.
Drum Barracks also helped keep the Los Angeles area loyal to the Union. It stopped Confederate forces from using the Los Angeles harbor.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, Camp Drum stayed active for a few more years. It was used during the Indian Wars. By 1870, the camp was no longer active. The buildings started to fall apart. In 1871, the remaining troops were sent to Fort Yuma.
In 1873, the government gave the land back to Banning and Wilson. They sold off the buildings. Banning bought five buildings, and Wilson bought one.
Becoming a Museum
In 1927, the Drum Barracks was named a historic monument. This was done by the Native Sons of the Golden West. In 1935, it became California Historic Landmark #169. When the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission was formed in 1962, Drum Barracks was one of the first sites they recognized. It became a Historic Cultural Landmark in 1963. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Saving the Barracks
In 1963, the owner wanted to sell the property. People worried it might be torn down. Walter Holstein led local residents to form a group. It was called The Society for The Preservation of Drum Barracks. They raised money to buy the property.
In 1967, the State of California bought the Drum Barracks. This was thanks to Oliver Vickery and Joan Lorenzen. The Society still helped with upkeep and running the site. In 1986, the State gave the property to the City of Los Angeles. The condition was that it had to be a Civil War museum.
The building you see today was once the officers' quarters. It has 16 rooms. It was one of 19 similar buildings there. Now, the barracks is a museum. It helps us remember California's part in the Civil War.
Strange Stories at Drum Barracks
The surviving building at Drum Barracks has a local reputation for strange happenings. Some visitors and people nearby say they hear rattling chains. Others hear wagon wheels and horses' hooves. Some claim to see smoke, perhaps from soldiers' pipes.
People have also reported seeing a woman in a hoop skirt. They sometimes smell a strong lavender perfume. The Drum Barracks was even featured on a TV show called Unsolved Mysteries. This was in the early 1990s. Some people interviewed said they saw ghosts of Civil War soldiers. In 2005, the Barracks was also on an episode of Most Haunted.
California Historical Landmark Marker
The California Historical Landmark Marker #169 at the site tells us:
- NO. 169 DRUM BARRACKS - This place was started in 1862. It became the main U.S. military headquarters. It covered Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It was a base for soldiers and supplies. It was also a stop for camel pack trains until 1863. The site was left empty in 1866. It is still an important landmark from the Civil War in California.
