Fort Crook (California) facts for kids

Fort Crook was an important U.S. Army base that started as Camp Hollenbush in 1857. It was located in Shasta County, California, near a town called Fall River Mills, California. Today, you can learn all about its past at the Fort Crook Museum.

The Story of Fort Crook

How Fort Crook Began

The army base first opened in 1857. It was called Camp Hollenbush. Captain John W.T. Gardiner led a group of soldiers from the 1st U.S. Dragoons and the 4th U.S. Infantry to set it up. The camp was named after Assistant Surgeon Calvin G. Hollenbush, a doctor who worked with the army.

Renamed for Lieutenant Crook

Later, the camp's name was changed to Fort Crook. It was named after 1st Lieutenant George Crook. He was also from the 4th U.S. Infantry. Lieutenant Crook led a group called the Pitt River Expedition in 1857. During one fight, he was badly hurt by an arrow.

Fort Crook During the Civil War

The American Civil War happened from 1861 to 1865. During this time, soldiers from California, called California Volunteers, were stationed at Fort Crook.

In August 1861, troops from the fort went on a "scout," which is like an exploration trip. They traveled from Fort Crook to Round Valley in Mendocino County.

Around the same time, other soldiers from the fort had a small fight, called a skirmish. This happened in the Upper Pit River Valley with a Native American group called the Achomawi. Later that month, another expedition from Fort Crook went to the Pit River. They had another skirmish near Kellogg's Lake. The U.S. Army closed the fort in 1869. The land was given back to the public in 1881.

Fort Crook Today

Visiting the Historic Site

You won't find any old buildings at the original Fort Crook site today. However, on November 11, 1934, a group called the Fort Crook Historical Society placed a special marker. This marker shows where Fort Crook once stood. You can find it in Fall River Mills.

The Fort Crook Museum

A cabin that was once part of the fort has been moved and restored. It is now at the Fort Crook Museum in Fall River Mills, California. The museum is located near the historical marker. In 2009, a special kind of barn was rebuilt at the museum. It's called a round barn. This barn was used to train wild horses for the U.S. Army.